Seedorf predicts the shape of football's future

Elong · February 22, 2012

Pat's Van said:
NO doubt my friend, I know that and wholeheartedly agree.

However, I can only surmise that the formation of a European Super League would have to be established over a period of time with contingency plans in place for every one of the clubs who SKY has contractually agreed to provide income to over this sustained transitional period.

Basically, if SKY pulled the plug tomoorow, then yes, we would all go t!ts up. If though they wanted to form a gradual breakaway of there favoured clubs and leave the rest of us to be self sufficient and on a level playing field so to speak, I'm fairly confident that Everton could cope. And progress.

It'd be a nice situation to have as far as the local game went, more teams in with a chance to win short term. Long term though, the strong get stronger, and I'd imagine another top 4 would eventuate. Salary caps would be one answer, but apparently this can't be achieved because of EU laws or something? (I'm not too sure on this stuff, DAMON FFS?!?!?)

The saddest part for most clubs is that they have in essence sold their soul to the devil with Murdoch, and now he has all the clubs firmly by the nuts. If Murdoch wanted to change how the league was run, how the winner is decided etc etc, clubs like ourselves would surely have to tow the line or end up worse than Leeds/Pompey. It's a scary thought.

Pat's Van · February 22, 2012

Elong said:
It'd be a nice situation to have as far as the local game went, more teams in with a chance to win short term. Long term though, the strong get stronger, and I'd imagine another top 4 would eventuate. Salary caps would be one answer, but apparently this can't be achieved because of EU laws or something? (I'm not too sure on this stuff, DAMON FFS?!?!?)

The saddest part for most clubs is that they have in essence sold their soul to the devil with Murdoch, and now he has all the clubs firmly by the nuts. If Murdoch wanted to change how the league was run, how the winner is decided etc etc, clubs like ourselves would surely have to tow the line or end up worse than Leeds/Pompey. It's a scary thought.

Personally though, I don't honestly think it's a viable option for SKY, mainly for the reasons you listed.
I don't think a European League will ever happen.

(The scariest thing though is that you tried to summon the Demon, please, for the love of God, don't ever do that, please)

fozzy · February 22, 2012

if anything like that happend i for one would not pay for sky or virgin!!

and i think most supporters of the "little" clubs through out all leagues through out europe would do the same so i think sky know that it could realy hurt them if this went ahead!

The Equaliser · February 22, 2012

It's wishful thinking to think that if a European League happened that the participants can eff off and the rest of football can carry on like it used to do. Not only would the Sky TV money follow it but so would the best players, as the top wages would be available in this league. And if they were to make it competitive there would have to be promotion and relegation to it, which would mean that clubs who remain in their national leagues would strive to get in it. It would be the top tier of club football, and the sad thing is, it's going to happen. Just as they plotted to do in the late 80s and early 90s, the richest clubs will seek to maximise their incomes, and this will be the way to do it. And the worst part is, this time we won't be there.

Pat's Van · February 22, 2012

The Equaliser said:
It's wishful thinking to think that if a European League happened that the participants can eff off and the rest of football can carry on like it used to do. Not only would the Sky TV money follow it but so would the best players, as the top wages would be available in this league. And if they were to make it competitive there would have to be promotion and relegation to it, which would mean that clubs who remain in their national leagues would strive to get in it. It would be the top tier of club football, and the sad thing is, it's going to happen. Just as they plotted to do in the late 80s and early 90s, the richest clubs will seek to maximise their incomes, and this will be the way to do it. And the worst part is, this time we won't be there.

HOnestly can't see them making it work, it's completely different from simple re-branding of a decades old competition

Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian · February 23, 2012

So this new European Cup is the old European Cup ?

with europa league instead of uefa cup ?

Why don't they inroduce a comp for the cup winners from each country..... there's a revolutionary idea, they could maybe call it something like The European 'Cup Winners' Cup.