European Super League - A Reality? (Poll Added)

[mcfc1632]

Beefy - we will always be CITY fans and watch them whatever is the outcome - but it is natural to want to be up with the best. We enjoyed the old 3rd tier and wanted to win that and then we enjoyed the championship - but we were always trying to get back into the top league

And in the PL every club desperately wants to be in the top 4 and qualify for the CL - and the money is so influential that those that know that they cannot make that level just strive to stay in the PL and settle for mid-table survival just to get the financial benefit.

The top players will only ever go to clubs in the new super-league and the rest of the clubs just have to make do with what is left.

All the worldwide attention would be on the new super-league and that is where the big money would be. I am like you and most football fans and view the domestic competition as best - but these twats that make up the modern version of the G14 do not give a fuck about the game and will probably destroy so much just to get their way on a format that earns them mega bucks

By the way - the use of the word bollocks when speaking about your view on this was not meant to come across in such a rude way - apologies - I blame the sun and Strongbow that I have been overdosing on this last week in Cyprus

[Beefymcfc]

Beefy - we will always be CITY fans and watch them whatever is the outcome - but it is natural to want to be up with the best. We enjoyed the old 3rd tier and wanted to win that and then we enjoyed the championship - but we were always trying to get back into the top league

And in the PL every club desperately wants to be in the top 4 and qualify for the CL - and the money is so influential that those that know that they cannot make that level just strive to stay in the PL and settle for mid-table survival just to get the financial benefit.

The top players will only ever go to clubs in the new super-league and the rest of the clubs just have to make do with what is left.

All the worldwide attention would be on the new super-league and that is where the big money would be. I am like you and most football fans and view the domestic competition as best - but these twats that make up the modern version of the G14 do not give a fuck about the game and will probably destroy so much just to get their way on a format that earns them mega bucks

By the way - the use of the word bollocks when speaking about your view on this was not meant to come across in such a rude way - apologies - I blame the sun and Strongbow that I have been overdosing on this last week in Cyprus

I didn't take it as rude mate, just a figure of speach ;-)

On the points though, I'm not actually in disagreement on the cartel trying to push this through and even though the ECA say they haven't spoke on it it's pretty obvious that the old G14 are in dialogue, just like the fucked up 4 who pushed through our new FFP regs. What I am saying is that under the format proposed it would be a dead duck inside a couple of years due to it lacking a serious top to bottom fight.

There maybe mega money going into it but where do they get all the other games from? At present we are looking at approximately 60 games per season with the various cup comps which brings in the revenue from matchday takings, sponsorship, TV money etc, will a league of 38 games make up that shortfall? Above all that is the money brought in from the 2 separate competitions, money that far outways what 1 single competition could demand, even if it is the elite who will try to command it.

This leads me to believe that the old G14 are looking for something else. With us, PSG, Monaco etc moving through to possibly take their positions they have already upped the anti with UEFA FFPR and now it looks to be unenforceable (court proceedings started) then I think that they will be looking for some guarantee that the league they have created for themselves doesn't get overthrown by the new kids on the block.

[john68]

Last night, a friend alerted me to a report on the "FOOTBALL IS FIXED" blog, regarding information they have received from a source inside UEFA. I cannot guarantee the veracity of this report but I do think it is worth bringing to the table for discussion.

As I am unable to do so,I would appreciate if someone could provide the link.

The basic points covered are:
20 clubs (13 named, 7 unnamed) have already held discussion regarding the setting up of a European Super League and are bent on setting this up with or without the support of UEFA.
UEFA's enlargement of the European Championship is a financial sweetener for those nations who miss out on the Super league.

Named teams; The rags, Barca, Real Madrid, Juve, Milan, Inter, Bayern, Dortmund, Ajax, P.S.G, Galatasary, Porto, Shaktar.
Unamed teams: This list was covered by the number of letters of each clubwhich may provide us with some clues.
####### (7 letters)
######### (9 letters)
############# (13 letters)
##### (5 letters)
######## (8 letters)
####### (7 letters)
########## (10 letters)

It further adds that UEFA would seek to control the League.

I'll leave it with you without any opinion or judgement.

[Rag_hater]

Seems to me people are forgetting the new wealth in football i.e.US the Chavs those frogs some ruskies and a few others.Whatever the old G14 come up with is peanuts compared to what the new wealth has.We would just blow them out of the water if they try anything stupid.

[Beefymcfc]

FOOTBALL IS FIXED

Here you go mate.

The European Super League And The End Of The Premier League As We Know It

One of our contacts at UEFA has given a colleague the list of clubs involved in discussions over the implementation of the European Super League (ESL) in 2018/19.

Although not mentioned at the time, this is the primary reason for Michel Platini's decision for the UEFA Euro's in 2020 being shared between 13 different countries as opposed to the usual one or two. Euro 2020 will serve as a marketing back up for the ESL as well as a sweetener for nations who miss out on the ESL cash bonanza.

The ESL will feature 20 clubs largely grouped around the G14(18) body which was supposedly disbanded in 2008. But when has a power group ever voluntarily relinquished psychopathic control of a market?

This blog first outlined the inevitability of the ESL back in 2007...
... which makes us prescient!

Both Andrea Agnelli of Juventus and Unal Aysal of Galatasaray were present at the discussions over formation of ESL and have shared the reality in the media in Italy and Turkey. Aysal: “The system has to be put in place, either by UEFA or by the clubs themselves. Then we will decide if a breakaway will be a necessity or not."

So UEFA either encourages and orchestrates the ESL or the clubs will remove themselves from both UEFA and national league structures and set up a free-standing tournament.

And what will this all mean for the Premier League and other leading European leagues? Well, the loss of their major turnover members or their replacement by 'B' teams akin to the Segunda Liga in Spain where Real Madrid B and Barcelona B ply their trades.

We suspect the latter as the option of 'B' teams in England has been discussed openly in recent months.

We have been told the full list of the 20 teams that are involved in the discussions and we reveal those that we are able to below:

Manchester United
Barcelona
AC Milan
Juventus
Ajax Amsterdam
Paris St Germain
Real Madrid
Galatasaray
Bayern Munchen
Borussia Dortmund
Inter Milan
Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
#######
#########
#############
#####
########
#######
##########

The European Club Association (ECA) claim to know nothing about the ESL but the 2018/19 start date is based on the conclusion of the memorandum of understanding between UEFA and the ECA which expires in 2018. Additionally, the final Champions League three year package terminates in 2018 too.

There have also been rumours of an ESL2 but we are informed that this option is a no-no and will be utilised as part of the bargaining in the negotiations with national associations and the Premier League.

Accept losing your biggest three teams or we will take the biggest 5 or 6.

It is our belief that UEFA will elect to control the ESL and avoid the option of a free-standing insider corrupted body being formed, something that Richard Scudamore at the Premier League understands all too well.

So, in Britain, which clubs out of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Celtic will be invited?

That answer is based on accepting Financial Fair Play, not undertaking insider trading and no proximity to local mafiosi groups...
... which leaves just two clubs.

[urlnp=http://footballisfixed.blogspot.co.uk/]Link[/urlnp]

[Beefymcfc]

Just looking at those names mentioned, this wouldn't be a European league it would be a select elite league. I'm sure that they wouldn't even be able to call it the Euro Super League.

There must be over 20 different countries playing in the CL at the moment so how would they divvy it out?

[Beefymcfc]

Interested to see how many are in favour of a breakaway league?

Poll added: Would you be in favour of a proposed breakaway league?

[Rag_hater]

Think people are forgetting how rich we are and how much debt those fuckers are in.Those twats need the income from the PL so as much as I want the cunts to fuck off it would be finacially impossible for them.Same with all the elite.No way they could risk not being able to service their debt as the Euro Super League got established

[Im_Spartacus]

Think people are forgetting how rich we are and how much debt those fuckers are in.Those twats need the income from the PL so as much as I want the cunts to fuck off it would be finacially impossible for them.Same with all the elite.No way they could risk not being able to service their debt as the Euro Super League got established

Not sure I follow your logic here, a super league would have all their sponsors lined up from the off and it would almost certainly have to guarantee british teams at least the same as the premier league does, otherwise its a non-starter isnt it.

[Rag_hater]

Think people are forgetting how rich we are and how much debt those fuckers are in.Those twats need the income from the PL so as much as I want the cunts to fuck off it would be finacially impossible for them.Same with all the elite.No way they could risk not being able to service their debt as the Euro Super League got established

Not sure I follow your logic here, a super league would have all their sponsors lined up from the off and it would almost certainly have to guarantee british teams at least the same as the premier league does, otherwise its a non-starter isnt it.

I don't think they would be able to market it as a premium product whilst having to compete with the CL.Maybe in future it might turn out that way but cannot see the people who have not been invited into the Super League giving up without a fight.I cant see the CL disappearing cos the Rags and barca ain't in it,in fact it would make a lot of paying public happier

[Im_Spartacus]

I don't think they would be able to market it as a premium product whilst having to compete with the CL.Maybe in future it might turn out that way but cannot see the people who have not been invited into the Super League giving up without a fight.I cant see the CL disappearing cos the Rags and barca ain't in it,in fact it would make a lot of paying public happier

Surely it would relegate the cl to the status the europa league has now?

The thing is, the chinese wouldnt give a fuck what the competition is, they would tune in to it regardless.

Consider the revenue to be generated by a billion chinese who dont have any feeling for our domestic league, whose only care is to be able to watch united or barca etc play 38 games against a top european club.......this looks like the route to a tv season ticket to me mate, and it would be huge.......just remember that the british, and even wider european market is small fish compared to the global audience.

European customers (not to self, we are not fans in these peoples eyes) will very much be a small consideration when it comes to future tv and marketing deals of the future, and i have no doubt if they wanted to make this happen, they can and will when the time is politically opportune.

[Beefymcfc]

The current Sky contract runs until 2016 and if renewed (no doubt) then the whole of Prem will be tied into it, wouldn't they?

I can't see the Rags, Barca et al taking a risk and losing what they have now (League + CL revenue) and enter into a competition that could turn out to be a flop. If the 2 still continued, in another format for the ESL piece, then I can see it being a goer but not for them to just breakaway.

[Im_Spartacus]

The current Sky contract runs until 2016 and if renewed (no doubt) then the whole of Prem will be tied into it, wouldn't they? I can't see the Rags, Barca et al taking a risk and losing what they have now (League + CL revenue) and enter into a competition that could turn out to be a flop. If the 2 still continued, in another format for the ESL piece, then I can see it being a goer but not for them to just breakaway.

given that teams can be promoted and relegated, i would expect that there is no stipulation from sky on which teams must be in the premier league.

With that in mind, losing the rags and liverpool wouldnt be any more disastrous for sky as a relegation. I would expect that the liability to sky is held by the premier league, and whilst i expect sky will have some pretty hefty penalties imposed on the premier league in this eventuality, it seems that a club could arguably resign their share just as a relegated team does and there probably isnt anything sky or the league could do about it.

In fCt, sky wouldnt be arsed, as no doubt they would be at the head of the queue to pay for rights to the new league

[Beefymcfc]

The current Sky contract runs until 2016 and if renewed (no doubt) then the whole of Prem will be tied into it, wouldn't they? I can't see the Rags, Barca et al taking a risk and losing what they have now (League + CL revenue) and enter into a competition that could turn out to be a flop. If the 2 still continued, in another format for the ESL piece, then I can see it being a goer but not for them to just breakaway.

given that teams can be promoted and relegated, i would expect that there is no stipulation from sky on which teams must be in the premier league.

With that in mind, losing the rags and liverpool wouldnt be any more disastrous for sky as a relegation. I would expect that the liability to sky is held by the premier league, and whilst i expect sky will have some pretty hefty penalties imposed on the premier league in this eventuality, it seems that a club could arguably resign their share just as a relegated team does and there probably isnt anything sky or the league could do about it.

In fCt, sky wouldnt be arsed, as no doubt they would be at the head of the queue to pay for rights to the new league

Sky would want to be the major shareholder, that's for sure. I think the question here is 'Would the Premier League get by without the likes of the Rags and Arsenal?'.

For me, it will still be very competitve and still have a major pull across the current networks. With the relative change in power (money wise at least) there will still be some major players and with another few years to sell our wares then I can see a point where it won't be the likes of the Rags being just the major players. Us, Chelsea, the Dippers, Spurs et al will still get coverage and if the Rags can only receive the same coverage by forming a breakaway league then so be it.

Will I miss the Rag Derby, course I will but if they want to play their new Derby against the likes of Galatasaray, then so be it. Their loss.

[Im_Spartacus]

Sky would want to be the major shareholder, that's for sure. I think the question here is 'Would the Premier League get by without the likes of the Rags and Arsenal?'. For me, it will still be very competitve and still have a major pull across the current networks. With the relative change in power (money wise at least) there will still be some major players and with another few years to sell our wares then I can see a point where it won't be the likes of the Rags being just the major players. Us, Chelsea, the Dippers, Spurs et al will still get coverage and if the Rags can only receive the same coverage by forming a breakaway league then so be it. Will I miss the Rag Derby, course I will but if they want to play their new Derby against the likes of Galatasaray, then so be it. Their loss.

I think were we to be excluded, I would be disappointed by the prospect of being "left out" but I feel the premier league would be just as good a product without the rags and a.n. other. In fact, the next few years may result in something not seen in the premier league era - a poor united team. That for me is likely to be one of the biggest catalysts to all these break away discussuons, as the rags become ever more desperate not to fall behind us and chelsea - and the first shots across our bows have been fired by ffp.

If they fail to stop us, chelsea, psg and the russians with ffp, they will turn to something else - they will just exclude us from their new product.

Im pretty sure its coming, but the outcome/failure of ffp will be the tipping point for the rags and the established clubs.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

I understand the points that posters have made as to why this is coming and why it will be a success despite the opposition, but it holds no interest for me and would be the final straw to save me the £1000 plus a year I spend watching football now. I have no interest in it and never will have.

[Im_Spartacus]

I understand the points that posters have made as to why this is coming and why it will be a success despite the opposition, but it holds no interest for me and would be the final straw to save me the £1000 plus a year I spend watching football now. I have no interest in it and never will have.

Im not sure whether i would want to be in or out to be honest. I have little interest in European games on tv, and also surprisingly little interest in citys champions league games - except for the social side, went to two away last year and didnt bother with the home games despite being a season card holder.

The cagey games of chess in european games hold little interest to me full stop, i've grown up on the excitement of the british leagues and a particular type of football which is exciting and unpredictable. The dead rubbers towards the end of the season would likely be truly horriffic games, particularly if there is no relegation - and with only one winner, most games from March on for everyone else other than the top couple of teams will be a total irrelevance.

I dont think I would tune in, and I probably wouldnt bother to go if we were in it, but a leaguew ithout united and arsenal/liverpool? So what, the show goes on

[patrickblue]

I understand the points that posters have made as to why this is coming and why it will be a success despite the opposition, but it holds no interest for me and would be the final straw to save me the £1000 plus a year I spend watching football now. I have no interest in it and never will have.

Im not sure whether i would want to be in or out to be honest. I have little interest in European games on tv, and also surprisingly little interest in citys champions league games - except for the social side, went to two away last year and didnt bother with the home games despite being a season card holder.

The cagey games of chess in european games hold little interest to me full stop, i've grown up on the excitement of the british leagues and a particular type of football which is exciting and unpredictable. The dead rubbers towards the end of the season would likely be truly horriffic games, particularly if there is no relegation - and with only one winner, most games from March on for everyone else other than the top couple of teams will be a total irrelevance.

I dont think I would tune in, and I probably wouldnt bother to go if we were in it, but a leaguew ithout united and arsenal/liverpool? So what, the show goes on

I thought is was just me. I've spent years being bored shitless by European football, and thought that maybe it was just that City were never in it. But since our change of fortune, I still find the whole thing pretty tedious. Ok, I now have an interest in City progressing, and actually watch the games but god it's all pretty dull with their pots and co-efficients and chessboard games.
I've always been of the opinion that the rags and Liverpool should fulk off and play in a European super league and leave the rest of us to enjoy proper football. It'd make no difference to the great majority of their "supporters" who only ever watch it on the telly anyway.

[patrickblue]

Will I miss the Rag Derby, course I will but if they want to play their new Derby against the likes of Galatasaray, then so be it. Their loss.

Galatasaray are the new Liverpool.

[Beefymcfc]

Will I miss the Rag Derby, course I will but if they want to play their new Derby against the likes of Galatasaray, then so be it. Their loss.

Galatasaray are the new Liverpool.

Hopefully Mancini's still there to give them another lesson in football ;-)