10 Feb 2016 09:31:58
Hi Ed/ all, any thoughts on the proposed changes to the Champions League. Strong rumours that the big money clubs are demanding automatic entry regardless of their league position at end of season. Other rumours concern just a league comprising of clubs from the main money (that word again) countires form the CL tournament (stinks of an elitist super league) .
The way they are talking clubs like ours won't need to worry about qualifying as it will not be an option available.
{Ed007's Note - It's no surprise to me, I've been saying for years about he introduction of a European Super-League and that we wouldn't be involved whether people like it or not. One of the plus points for me is it will hopefully rid the CFC support of the type of people who seem to only follow the club because of what we do on the European stage and those who have started demanding managers' heads for failure to qualify for the CL. Man City can always do with new supporters.
The matter of a breakaway pan-European league remains very much an on-going issue with regular discussions on the matter between a dozen or more clubs.
Without going in to too much detail: (a) A number of clubs take the opportunity to meet and discuss various issues including changes in rules, club versus country issues, television and other media rights, the power of UEFA, exploitation issues for new technology streams, etc.. The meetings were annually but now they happen two and sometimes three times a year. There was a meeting in December – where there was a discussion about the state of FIFA, the situation with UEFA and a so far unpublished claim from a retired referee that the result of a Champions League game was influenced by a third party. These discussions also always turn to the possibility and structure of a breakaway pan European league. Several are ex-G14 clubs, several are not, and some clubs decline involvement in such discussions. (b) The plan is that at some point a number of clubs would break away from their national leagues and UEFA. They accept that they would be banned from all existing club competition and the players would initially be banned from all FIFA competitions as well, but know that FIFA would be looking to negotiate in any case. It would be the end of UEFA in all probability and UEFA are very aware of this. It would also result in a restructuring of many of the national leagues. (c) The clubs would renegotiate their television and media rights, rights of distribution via other streams etc.. (d) It remains the greatest fear of UEFA and all major national authorities that one day this will happen – which has resulted in a counter-proposal being drafted by UEFA. (e) Timing wise, two very prominent clubs want it to happen as soon as possible (2018) and they have the support of a third club - but most are looking at 2022 being a good option. A few clubs are looking at 2025 to 2027 and I suspect that could end up as the reality.
There is going to be a counter-proposal backed by UEFA to try and save their own skin which is soon to be tabled. The proposal is to rename and change the format of the UEFA Champions League to make it an elite closed-shop pan-European league with a fixed number of teams – and these would be the same teams every year. It would then require the restructuring of the Europa League and the possible introduction of a lower-tier European competition. Although they have yet to flesh out the detail, on major Football Association has given their support.
If the proposal for a breakaway goes ahead, there is every likelihood that the big money from television, sponsorship etc. would go with a breakaway league. It would completely rupture the operations of UEFA and I would expect it would require national associations like the FA to restructure their leagues. Nobody wants this but it is the eventual consequence I would expect. Initially it could be that there is a single 16 team league with 2 or 3 EPL teams making the initial plunge. If I had to speculate, I would think (1) you might eventually see something like five or six EPL teams leave for two-tier pan European league - but it won't be based on the UEFA rankings; (2) the Premier League would be disbanded as an organisation; (3) the FA would restructure in to two 20 team divisions with lower leagues regionalised as they were many years ago; (4) FIFA would ban all players from the breakaway teams from International football - perhaps rescinding that position to stop FIFA breaking up as well - they don't want further issues but the troubles are not going to go away. I could also see many teams lose their professional status. I would think we are probably 10 years away from any significant move at this time.
I hold a reasonably strong view in terms of the need to restructure football in Europe in any case. For me an eventual a breakaway pan-European league would force the restructuring of many of the national leagues, possibly resulting in a British league with perhaps only a couple of professional tiers and then regionalised amateur leagues below that. Financially I do not see that so many pro sides can be sustained within the sport which, like it or not, will see more and more money going in to the highest levels of the game. Governments will ensure that grassroots sport get funding but everything in the middle (Southern, Northern, Conference, Division 2, Scottish Divisions 1-3, League of Wales will not get the funding needed to continue on any sort of professional basis.}
10 Feb 2016 16:03:38
If this was to happen I wonder if the epl would still be saying no to Celtic joining and if this where the case do you think it would be a good move for Celtic ed surely the epl would be chomping at the bit then to get us down there.
{Ed007's Note - There won't be an EPL.}
10 Feb 2016 16:31:29
Do you take the view Ed that there is then a better league out there for us? (not that it would tale much) I know you don't see us in with the big guns but surely we would be part of a BPL?
{Ed007's Note - There won't be a BPL either.}
10 Feb 2016 17:19:20
Why don't they just go back too a champions league just for champions.
10 Feb 2016 17:18:19
So what happens then Ed to Liverpool, Spurs, Celtic, Everton's of the world as you see it?
{Ed007's Note - Liverpool, Spurs and Everton will play in the English league and CFC will play in the Scottish league.}
10 Feb 2016 17:21:33
Hopefully all ordinary football fans would see this for the slap in the face that it is, and completely blank/ boycott anything to do with it, thus killing their revenue stone dead. They could only survive with massive backing of advertising, and they would be heavily reliant on fans of other clubs ie not the elite, subscribing. I for one wouldn't give the arrogant bastards a penny!
10 Feb 2016 17:42:29
Capitalism Marco. It's killing the world never mind football.
10 Feb 2016 18:26:50
So Celtic, Everton and the other uninvited teams around Europe. Will just break away and start there own league. Your saying the rest will just except UEFA descion.
{Ed007's Note - I've been through all this before and have no intention of going over it again. It is what it is and doesn't really concern CFC.}
10 Feb 2016 18:35:09
How does it not concern Celtic?
{Ed007's Note - The clubs pushing for the breakaway feel obviously feel the same way.}
10 Feb 2016 18:56:12
Very interesting string this one. Highlights how little relevance fan power. Even if it can be mobilised, it is irrelevant in context of TV revenue. Gates in Scotland have lot more of a baring on revenue but who could honestly envisage such a mobilisation? If it were to happen in EPL, which it never would, it would be meaningless. A working class game?
10 Feb 2016 19:19:43
Those clubs that want change are looking after themselves. Celtic and the other clubs left behind will do the same. Those clubs still have millions of fans worldwide which the Tv companies will want. The list of big clubs left behind is massive they're not just going to except what the big clubs want.
10 Feb 2016 19:38:59
Why this talk of epl again has DD been asked a question he doesn't want to answer and used his usual deflection tactic of the epl. Why would we want to disappear to another country and mid table obscurity. And before anyone starts with "a club our size will be challenging in a few years". Look at Liverpool. Arsenal. Even man Utd and Chelsea just now. All the epl would ever guarantee celtic is that we have enough money to over pay for bang average players like Ross McCormack and Steven fletcher. As it stands just now we have the best of both worlds.
League titles even when Rangers were around we still won the league almost every over year. Cup finals. Champions league nights. How many Everton Newcastle West Ham fans, name any team you want who mock our league would love there team to be as successful and well followed as celtic. I want Celtic to improve on the current state more investment but investment in our own youth or players from the likes of Croatia Scandinavia anywhere but England unless it's a gem from the lower leagues there market down there is making me dis like football. Bang average teams teams like Stoke smirking at Glasgow Celtic because they have a few bob in there pocket. I am not writing off the champ league but that's a bonus a buzz from the usual league matches but I wouldn't ever want Celtic to go to England. WHY would anyone!
10 Feb 2016 21:41:21
The big clubs looking to form new league (s) will be eager to make progress whilst UEFA and FIFA are in disarray and hence weakened position.
11 Feb 2016 11:54:12
The fat cats are already sat around tables without us. It's not in their interest to invite any more clubs along. Money goes to money man. I was shocked the other day as I just found out that no other games are allowed to be broadcast during CL games. I always juat assumed that the broadcasters opted to show CL games, and hat it wasnt actually a rule. This, coupled with the whole seeding of the CL etc just shows that all they are concerned about is keeping the rich clubs rich.