Isn't the ESL supposed to replace UCL, and not the Leagues?
From what I recall, the Leagues and ESL were going to co-exist. And each ESL season would've been like 15-20 games, not 38.
Yet half the replies seem to be about the local rivalries and Leagues going away, for some weird reason.
Isn't the ESL supposed to replace UCL, and not the Leagues?
From what I recall, the Leagues and ESL were going to co-exist. And each ESL season would've been like 15-20 games, not 38.
Yet half the replies seem to be about the local rivalries and Leagues going away, for some weird reason.
It did want to replace the CL. However, that isn't all. Firstly it wanted to eradicate qualification for it and thus have fixed membership. This would've impacted the leagues has it would've eradicated the ability for someone from outside it to qualify and/or strictly disadvantaged them from doing so.
Second, once it was up and running, there was no real knowledge of what would happen next. After x amount of years' they could've easily have switched games to the weekend and/or increased the number of games.
Third by establishing this, it would've driven revenues significantly towards a few clubs at a even larger rate than currently, thus reducing the competitiveness of the teams outside of it.
The ESL at it's core was about cementing the current hierarchy of football forever, whilst clipping the wings of the PL.
All the noise we're getting currently is
a) A damage limitation exercise
b ) A means to try and persuade clubs that weren't included that they'll now have a chance to join and that this is needed to handicap the PL as it's revenues are too large.
However, it isn't going to work. Everyone has seen through this and the ECJ is going to come down with a verdict in UEFA's favour.
Real, Barca and Juve are just doing this in the hope they can establish something without the PL clubs in the medium to long term and avoid a out right ban from European competitions in the short term.