European Super League

[villain]

Aren't all the other club owners in the football leagues rich folks too? Maybe even better connected (if less rich) in UK & Tories politics than Kroenke, Glazer etc? Their assets will instantly lose value if this goes through...

I can see that happening, the owners of the other clubs will lose out on revenue if this goes through - so it pressures the government to go against their main political ideology.

Not only this, but they were the same ones conveniently telling Rashford to keep politics and football separate when he was willing to do something that is literally their job

Exactly this, and even further don't protest on societal issues - while they actively try and push through a Bill to give protestors harsh criminal sentences - however when it comes to football do protest because we don't want our buddies to lose money.

It's very snide and I don't trust their stance.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

This thread is all politics. There is no way around that. It's a political decision within a political climate that's been cultivated for decades. There is no context free vacuum here regarding only sport.

To some degree, I agree, but I still don't think the Government will have too much power to do much in this instance. I do agree with Villain though, opposing this is the most anti tori think I've seen in basically forever.

 

[sullydnl]

Exactly. Arsenal are a global team and one of the reasons why PL is so popular. They are poor now but let's not undermine their contribution in making PL so popular back in 2000s. They have more fans globally than most of the PL teams and so they think they should be compensated more ? Because, they too deserve a good share of the money PL has been getting?

This all goes back to the money being split. Barca and Real has been dominating the TV money in Spain. Think the top EPL clubs also want something like that . The same applies to CL as well. They all think their contributions are undervalued and underpaid. The talks about 350M one time payment in ESL shows how much they are really worth and how much are they getting actually now.

Arsenal deserve what they earn, no more and no less. If their underperformance on the pitch impacts them financially while Leicester get a financial boost from overperforming then that's sport working as it should. Why on earth should Arsenal be ring-fenced from their own failures as if being good in the 00's means they're owed something 20 years later?

 

[villain]

Johnson is above all a populist. He championed brexit because he calculated it gave him more chance of winning elections.

The defender of the great game and national sport is all he sees, he thinks it will win him votes.

He's probably right.

You would think that this would give Labour the fuel to call him out on his hypocrisy in future political exchanges, but they somehow manage to offer less than nothing.

 

[Shane88]

We were hated because of our success and that was fun. It's no fun when the hate is justified by us being rancid cnuts.

 

[Ixion]

No it won't but this foul cry by UEFA or PL is just a skint attempt because they are losing their money and not exactly because of their love towards the game.

Right but no one in here gives a single shit about UEFA, the PL, Sky, FIFA etc. The outrage on here, by all the other fans around the World is not for them, it is because this represents something much worse.

 

[Zlatan 7]

I'm not talking about the sports aspect. I'm talking about the intentions of the government not matching with their political philosophy.
It smells like they either have Party Members/Donors who stand to lose a lot of money if this goes through, or are only getting involved in order to maintain parity with voters in upcoming elections.

I understand that but I think it’s not outlandish to treat competive sport differently to business. It’s a shame that the sport of football has turned into more of a business I suppose.

I don’t trust the government but I suppose protecting the premier league will also protect a lot of jobs and income more so than having the premier league fold and just have 6 rich clubs taking most of the money.

 

[pseudo_canadian]

You know Glazers might have just shat their own bed with this Super League. We could end up with real tangible reforms at the end of all this. Best case scenario. It would be totally fecking worth the stress and anxiety to the back of those fecking parasitic cnuts.

Well said. Could be a blessing...

 

[Hansa]

I'll almost be a bit disappointed if the Super League is scrapped now.

Not because I agree with it, but because I'm pretty fed up with European football today. Since the introduction of the Champions League, where every team needed to go through qualifying rounds, and the champions of Germany, Spain and England all failed to enter the group stages, the "big 5" have more or less managed to hijack the whole thing (the "big 5" is a relatively new concept, don't forget). Hints and threats of forming a super league at regular intervals have transformed the Champions League from an initial level playing field in 1992 to an almost closed shop already. First, one automatic place for champions of certain countries, with an extra place in the play-offs for the runners-up, then two automatic places, and so on. You add in the UEFA coefficient points, and the new proposals of qualifying by "merit", and voilà, you have today's situation where 75-80% of league champions around Europe have almost zero chance of qualifying, and where a large section of fans, in particular younger fans, turn their nose up at every team name that's not among a select 15-20 clubs.

A U-turn by these clubs would certainly only happen by some sort of decade-long guarantee of CL football, coupled with an even bigger portion of the revenue. Let them leave, and boycott everything that has to do with it. Tear up the CL, start afresh, and make sure that it becomes a true European competition, and not just something for a handful of countries. So what if the revenue takes a hit? I don't care one bit if players no longer become millionaires in a week. The fan culture in many countries could make the games a much bigger spectacle for the viewers than Super League matches at random locations around the world (because there's not a chance in hell that these will take place at Old Trafford, Emirates, Anfield, etc, when the local fans decide to stay away).

 

[Dante]

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• The 15 “founding clubs” of the Super League would share 32.5 per cent of these commercial revenues
• A further 32.5 per cent would be distributed between all 20 participating teams, including the five sides invited to play in the competition each year
• Twenty per cent of revenues would be allocated on “merit” or be dependent on performance in the competition
• The final 15 per cent would be shared based on broadcast audience size
• The competition winner would receive just 1.5 times more than the bottom side. By comparison, that ratio in Spain’s La Liga is closer to 3.5 times
• Clubs will be also allowed to retain all revenues from gate receipts and club sponsorship deals
• Super League clubs have committed to using only 55 per cent of their revenues on “sport spending”, such as player salaries, transfer and agent fees, according to people familiar with the terms
• Super League clubs have also signed up to a “tax equalisation” clause so that “income tax on salaries shall be normalised and calculated at a rate of 45 per cent”, according to people with direct knowledge of the contracts

Hmmm.... I don't hate this as much as I thought I would.

• The competition winner would receive just 1.5 times more than the bottom side. By comparison, that ratio in Spain’s La Liga is closer to 3.5 times

This is good, and would make for a more competitive ESL.

• The 15 “founding clubs” of the Super League would share 32.5 per cent of these commercial revenues

This percentage needs to be smaller, imo.

• A further 32.5 per cent would be distributed between all 20 participating teams, including the five sides invited to play in the competition each year

And this one needs to be bigger.

• The final 15 per cent would be shared based on broadcast audience size

I'd like to see an additional commitment to parachute payments/funding of national leagues in order to help grass roots football.

• Super League clubs have committed to using only 55 per cent of their revenues on “sport spending”, such as player salaries, transfer and agent fees, according to people familiar with the terms

Good. But only if some of the remaining 45% is earmarked for improvement of local neighbourhoods and youth development. If it all goes to the owners, they can feck off.

There's definitely room for improvement. But that's not the worst start. Assuming it is only a start.

 

[RedDevil@84]

Sounds like we can’t kick them out?

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And if UEFA wait for a month, everyone will forget and adjust to the new reality.

 

[Berbaclass]

You would think that this would give Labour the fuel to call him out on his hypocrisy in future political exchanges, but they somehow manage to offer less than nothing.

Someone better ask him about his intentions to help push through the Newcastle Saudi takeover.

 

[Dave Smith]

Don’t necessarily agree with that as a fan of American sports.

Yeah, for sure losing in American Sports is sometimes even better than winning. Look at all those Jets fans who were crying when they won a game as it handed Lawrence to Jacksonville.

 

[cyberman]

There's something highly laughable and revolting at the idea of City dropping out and being spoken about like saviours and true good guys.

They arent dropping out. Its a weird PR move that fans are latching on to as if there are levels to this cuntishness. If Bayern and PSG could say no, they could have as well.

 

[Mickeza]

If Boris forces the Glazers out I’m voting Tory. Actually even saying that in jest makes me feel ill...

 

[JPRouve]

No, you literally dodged the question. The system is already rigged and that was my point.

No, you claimed that they could close the gap and then claimed that it was a similar situation than today, both of these statements are blatantly wrong. Finally you tried to muddy the water by asking a question about a point that I haven't made or defended.

 

[Berbaclass]

Hmmm....

I don't hate this as much as I thought I would.

• The competition winner would receive just 1.5 times more than the bottom side. By comparison, that ratio in Spain’s La Liga is closer to 3.5 times

This is good, and would make for a more competitive ESL.

• The 15 “founding clubs” of the Super League would share 32.5 per cent of these commercial revenues

This percentage needs to be smaller, imo.

• A further 32.5 per cent would be distributed between all 20 participating teams, including the five sides invited to play in the competition each year

And this one needs to be bigger.

• The final 15 per cent would be shared based on broadcast audience size

I'd like to see an additional commitment to parachute payments/funding of national leagues in order to help grass roots football.

• Super League clubs have committed to using only 55 per cent of their revenues on “sport spending”, such as player salaries, transfer and agent fees, according to people familiar with the terms

Good.

There's definitely room for improvement. But that's not the worst start. Assuming it is a start.

I voted neutral, wait to see more details. I agree tbh. There’s a lot with the proposal I don’t mind. But obviously a few things that most aren’t happy with.

 

[SmallCaine]

Perez wouldn’t have been as brash last night if he wasn’t on solid ground.

Sam Lee who is as reliable as it gets for city stated yesterday that these agreements are not legally binding.

 

[big rons sovereign]

Been thinking the same thing. To be honest I'm amazed they aren't supporting this, if it takes off the big 6 stand to make a monumental amount which would be even more lucrative for the UK economy.

Oh they'll be in there somewhere, you can bet on it.
Where there's filth and corruption, you'll find a Tory soon enough.

 

[Berbaclass]

If Boris forces the Glazers out I’m voting Tory. Actually even saying that in jest makes me feel ill...

Why would he do that when he wants a Saudi takeover at Newcastle.

 

[SirAF]

If Boris forces the Glazers out I’m voting Tory. Actually even saying that in jest makes me feel ill...

Oi!

 

[bond19821982]

Arsenal deserve what they earn, no more and no less. If their underperformance on the pitch impacts them financially while Leicester get a financial boost from overperforming then that's sport working as it should. Why on earth should Arsenal be ring-fenced from their own failures as if being good in the 00's means they're owed something 20 years later?

No, Arsenal was just a reference. Point is, if you are not state owned you are not guaranteed money at all. Means , the clubs who is responsible for.making the sport so popular thinks they deserve more because people are watching for them. For.e.g Real and Barca think they have more viewers and they should be compensated accordingly else they could end up like Arsenal tomorrow. They are sowing it but they fear the benefits will be reaped by someone else.

 

[Berbaclass]

Sam Lee who is as reliable as it gets for city stated yesterday that these agreements are not legally binding.

Well obviously someone is lying then.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Klopp and Guardiola have both spoken against it but we need more. Are we expecting too much from them to threaten to walk? I would fully support the Man Utd squad and management threatening to walk.

 

[thegregster]

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City embarrassed by Pep

 

[villain]

I understand that but I think it’s not outlandish to treat competive sport differently to business. It’s a shame that the sport of football has turned into more of a business I suppose.

I don’t trust the government but I suppose protecting the premier league will also protect a lot of jobs and income more so than having the premier league fold and just have 6 rich clubs taking most of the money.

Competitive sport IS business and has been for decades - the two can't be separated.
This has been the way the sport has been going since TV Rights were introduced, and shirt sponsors, and state-backed owners - this particular action may have escalated the decline into market capitalisation quicker than previous ones, but this was always the outcome.

If they were concerned about the PL losing jobs they would've done more during the pandemic this time last year, they're not.

 

[Berbaclass]

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City embarrassed by Pep

No surprise, Chelsea did the same. Think the PO intervened and said no more SL questions.

 

[DRJosh]

If the ESL doesn’t eventuate, are we still liable to face Fifa/UEFA imposed sanctions for signalling an intent to leave in the first place?

 

[Judas]

Hmmm.... I don't hate this as much as I thought I would.

• The competition winner would receive just 1.5 times more than the bottom side. By comparison, that ratio in Spain’s La Liga is closer to 3.5 times

Isn't this awful news? That means there's not even that much incentive to even bother bloody winning the damn super league! Even less chance of investment in the team, because why should they? Whats there really to gain? The Glazers have wanted success for money, if they don't need success for money, why would they bother improving the team? They wouldn't.

 

[Statue of Limitations]

I wonder if UEFA would refuse to present the trophy at the CL final if this goes ahead, given all 4 teams are on the list.

 

[cyberman]

Sam Lee who is as reliable as it gets for city stated yesterday that these agreements are not legally binding.

But Perez is literally the leader of this thing.
Isnt he a bit more reliable that Sam Lee? Where was Sam etc before Sunday anyway? How the feck did everybody miss this?
We cant even scout Sancho without getting caught yet here we are, creating a new European league on the sly

 

[bond19821982]

No, you claimed that they could close the gap and then claimed that it was a similar situation than today, both of these statements are blatantly wrong. Finally you tried to muddy the water by asking a question about a point that I haven't made or defended.

I never said they could close the gap. If you can't relate the question I asked and the discussion that was relevant, you are either dodging or you haven't been following the discussions. Feel free to go back and check the posts related to the discussions.

 

[Dante]

Realistically, there's no stopping the ESL. The best we can hope for is a softening of the initial ESL charter. In that regard, I'll support the protests. But I think everyone needs to be aware there's no 'winning' here. There's only 'losing less badly'.

 

[Mickeza]

Why would he do that when he wants a Saudi takeover at Newcastle.

That was last week. Last week’s Boris is very different to this week’s Boris.

 

[Bastian]

I wonder if UEFA would refuse to present the trophy at the CL final if this goes ahead, given all 4 teams are on the list.

Not PSG.

 

[Judas]

I'll be beyond shocked if Ole speaks out about it to be honest, I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[Cassidy]

But Perez is literally the leader of this thing.
Isnt he a bit more reliable that Sam Lee? Where was Sam etc before Sunday anyway? How the feck did everybody miss this?
We cant even scout Sancho without getting caught yet here we are, creating a new European league on the sly

It wasnt missed, this has been reported on for a few years. Was very loud last year too, everyone just denied it

 

[bond19821982]

Right but no one in here gives a single shit about UEFA, the PL, Sky, FIFA etc. The outrage on here, by all the other fans around the World is not for them, it is because this represents something much worse.

If this stops any state funded clubs to invest unlimited money , then I am all for it. Let's see if PL has the balls to do it.

 

[Berbaclass]

That was last week. Last week’s Boris is very different to this week’s Boris.

True

 

[villain]

Realistically, there's no stopping the ESL. The best we can hope for is a softening of the initial ESL charter. In that regard, I'll support the protests. But I think everyone needs to be aware there's no 'winning' here. There's only 'losing less badly'.

Precisely this.
I don't actively hate the idea in principle - I hate the notion that there's no consequences to the "founding teams".