by Blue Since 76 » Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:55 am
Good article and it shows exactly what's wrong with the Fair Play rules. Not that someone like City won't be allowed to compete in Europe, as we made it in time, so, in reality, it will only strengthen our position. The problem is that a club like Bolton, or Blackpool or Accrington Stanley will never be able to compete in the Champions League, as they'll never be able to afford the players to get there. For that matter, neither will previous winners, like Leeds and Forest and Liverpool is going to have problems, as they need to spend a similar amount to us to get back to the top, but their spending will count towards.
The only way in will be to have the money from taking part and the sponsorship that goes with it. So unless one of the existing elite in your country fall apart, e.g. Liverpool, no one else will be able to get into it. Even if you get enough points to finish in the Champions League positions, chances are you'll be excluded for a financial irregularity at some point in the previous three seasons.
As I said, as long as we get in this season, our place should be secure, as once the drawbridge is up, it's going to be very difficult for anyone else to get in. On those grounds, we should all be happy about the Fair Play rules, but I still think they are totally wrong and will ultimately harm football.