Given the top 5 places in each group of 10 result in some sort of potential to progress, you'd need to seriously stuff the first set of games to be out of touch for a long stretch of games. There is certainly potential for the worse off teams to end up playing 3 or 4 relatively pointless 'group stage' games though, I agree.
The New European Super (borefest) League
- Thread starter Azza
- Start date
Given the top 5 places in each group of 10 result in some sort of potential to progress, you'd need to seriously stuff the first set of games to be out of touch for a long stretch of games. There is certainly potential for the worse off teams to end up playing 3 or 4 relatively pointless 'group stage' games though, I agree.
60 years ago Bill Shankly said the same about the European Cup, now it's the biggest competition in world football. Football has and will continue to evolve and there's nothing to say that European football has to be played under the UEFA umbrella until the end of time. Who and how they qualify for whatever competition is far more of a concern than what the trophy is called.
But equally, it's farcical if half of each group qualifies for the next round (I realise it happens now, but there are a lot more groups). The only reason for this is to ensure that there are as many matches as possible to bring in money
Caporegime
No one ever said it shouldn't evolve.
Again, who counts those pre-season self arranged tournaments trophies?
Anyone? You? Anyone?
The reward is qualifying for the knockout rounds and challenging to win the competition, which is essentially a rival competition to the Champions League - whether or not it can reach the stature of the CL is a separate matter, but can ignore that for now. The risk will be clubs progressing further in the competition being able to attract the better players, so those not winning games and reaching the latter stages will be at risk of losing their best players.
Is it really any different to now?
Caporegime
Yes, because Man United didn't qualify for the CL for a while. It means something when you are in the CL.
Can you really can't see the difference?
How about putting Preston NE into this new league? They were big once, 100 years ago.
exactly, they do summer friendlies between big clubs all the time, and international friendlies, but no one cares
Caporegime
I guess the other question is what legal powers do FIFA have to punish these teams. Fundamentally we shouldn't be supporting an organisation that is threatening to ban players from playing for their national team if they play their "domestic" football outside of that bodies control and influence.
I don't want a European super league but I also don't think FIFA are going to come out of this without looking like the bad guys as well.
I don't want a European super league but I also don't think FIFA are going to come out of this without looking like the bad guys as well.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2005
- Posts
- 13,000
I was speaking to someone about this that had the opinion of the way football is now is boring because it's the same teams getting promoted/relegated/qualifying for CL, so it would be better to change to an exclusive SL.... I think we are now done. How anyone can get behind the idea of less competition is beyond me, how can you truly like sport?
The players dont have any power though - just like the managers - they are contractually obliged to play in whatever competition the club asks (or demands) them to
and dont even mention the PFA - not sure really what this really does (what its meant to do - thats a different story)
Can we please stop talking about Mourinho being sacked in here!
You likened this new League to a pre-season tournament and the point I made was that the same was said about the European Cup 60 years ago. Today it might seem like a novelty competition but it would soon become the norm and recognised as what the CL is today.
I grew up watching a 5 hour build up to the FA Cup final and desperately wanting to watch International friendlies to the point that as a kid I quit my swimming lessons on Wednesday nights because they clashed with International fixtures. I now have no excitement around the FA Cup and haven't watched a single second of International football this season. Football changes and what we value does too.
You likened this new League to a pre-season tournament and the point I made was that the same was said about the European Cup 60 years ago. Today it might seem like a novelty competition but it would soon become the norm and recognised as what the CL is today.I grew up watching a 5 hour build up to the FA Cup final and desperately wanting to watch International friendlies to the point that as a kid I quit my swimming lessons on Wednesday nights because they clashed with International fixtures. I now have no excitement around the FA Cup and haven't watched a single second of International football this season. Football changes and what we value does too.
Caporegime
Nah, I think he is too pragmatic for that. I think Spurs have just had enough and he has lost the dressing room and there is too much talk of Kane leaving for their liking. Wonder who will come in during the interim.
It's more based on wealth, the teams forming the super league are so wealthy it's difficult for them to be supplanted by lesser teams anyway. It's like ollies said about Bayern as soon as any of their competitors start to pose any kind of a threat they just swoop in and take their best players to keep them down.
Apologies, I started it. It was meant to be a genuine question as to whether this was the start of player / manager backlash, albeit that seems unlikely.
Caporegime
You're taking the **** now
Caporegime
Can we please stop talking about Mourinho being sacked in here!
I grew up watching a 5 hour build up to the FA Cup final and desperately wanting to watch International friendlies to the point that as a kid I quit my swimming lessons on Wednesday nights because they clashed with International fixtures. I now have no excitement around the FA Cup and haven't watched a single second of International football this season. Football changes and what we value does too.
The entire point of this league are teams being there not by merit.
That is the crux of the problem, that is the POINT of sport. This CL was meant to be for champions (I already have a problem of 2nd to 4th place teams being in it), and now if they are there no matter what, it totally removes the spirit of sport.
What's next? buy your way into the final? the other place can be play for?
Caporegime
For once I agree with Baz
. Hopefully this doesn't go ahead in its current guise but a new version of the Champions League is brought in which is more akin to a league with a playoff type scenario like the Championship. I couldn't care less who owns the rights to it but it shouldn't be exclusive and qualification from the previous domestic season should be an important part of getting into it.