Soccer Portal

Sandro Rosell the Barcelona President, is also the vice president of the European Clubs Association, (ECA), a large group whose members include major Premier League Clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

The ECA have been discussing radical changes to the organisation of football around the world including the international calendar.  Closer to every day life at home, at a meeting yesterday Señor Rosell put forward a suggestion that the leagues around Europe including the Premier League should be reduced to 16 clubs.  He said, “The objective of reducing from 20 to 16 teams is to give more space to our players.”  “We want a bigger Champions League and hope one day we could play perhaps Barcelona versus Manchester United on Saturdays.  It’s something all of them, (the clubs), would have to agree to.

European ‘Super League’

There is also some sabre rattling going on from the ECA.  Rosell stated, “We want to have the Champions League under the UEFA umbrella but we want UEFA to hear our demands.  We are asking for more revenue.  We are asking for governance, transparency, insurance.  We would like to have a Champions League with more teams.”

“If UEFA and the ECA reach an agreement then that’s good for both parties.  If not, with or without the UEFA umbrella, the ECA is entitled to organise their own ‘champions’ competition by themselves.  In the worst case scenario, we will go away from UEFA.”

This super league has been mooted for a number of years now; representatives from powerful clubs in the ECA are now flexing their muscles and there may be a real possibility of something happening in the future.  Taking on UEFA in this vein and FIFA regarding the international calendar could lead to a remarkable shake up in football’s governing bodies.

Back to the Champions League, isn’t there disquiet among the football world and general public that the competition is already too big and the majority of group stage games are meaningless, holding little interest?  Does the bigger league to which Rosell refers to mean more clubs or more games between the bigger clubs?  If more clubs, surely the motivation to increase the size cannot just be money?  If more matches between the top tier of clubs, would the sheen be taken off by more frequent meetings of the giants?

Equal TV rights for all?

In Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid at present share 66% of the television rights, (as clubs individually negotiate with the TV companies); the remaining third of the money is shared among the other 18 clubs.  Several of those remaining clubs, including Racing Santander and Real Zaragoza, have recently entered bankruptcy proceedings; there was even a strike in La Liga at the start of the season because of non payment of wages to players and staff at some clubs.  Finances have also had an impact here, 16 out of the 20 Premier League clubs posted a loss last year; and in the extreme, Plymouth Argyle who had been placed into administration were released from this position recently by the Football League who are keeping a close eye on the clubs finances.

There is a massive, ‘them and us’ philosophy in this, however Rosell himself recognises that things must change and states that Barcelona and Real Madrid will discuss a different structure in the future giving each club a bigger share of the cash and inclusion in joint negotiation with the TV companies.  Devils advocate suggests that if La Liga reduces from 20 to 16 clubs, the jointly negotiated revenue pot would be shared among a smaller group of clubs, thereby not having as much effect on the 2 major clubs – just saying.

Liverpool have recently voiced an opinion that the Premier League should adopt this model when the current deal regarding TV rights expires in 2013.  Chairmen of, ‘smaller’ clubs have expressed anger and dismay at this saying it could mean the demise of the league, the rich will get richer etc.

One stumbling block to the proposal here would appear to be the requirement for clubs to agree to such a fundamental change.  There has to be support from 14 of the member clubs and even then the FA could block the proposal.  One of the most obvious reasons for opposition to change is financial.  It is a huge cash cow to play in the Premier League, the Championship playoff final is often described as the £50 million game due to potential revenue from promotion to the Premier League.

Same old same old

Also, familiarity may breed contempt.  In Spain, knowledgeable people have said that most fans support one of the 2 big clubs; and that the smaller clubs are being squeezed out of existence.  El Clasico is a fantastic spectacle but would you want to watch it every week?  Roberto Martinez, the Wigan manager sees it from both sides of the fence.  His club here would suffer; he also states that in his native country, “You end up splitting Spain into two football teams. The league suffers. That is a shame."

In recent years there has been a healthy change in different clubs promoted and relegated from the Premier League.  The development opportunities for a club, even if they do only manage to survive a season or 2 before relegation back to the Championship are enormous.  They receive enough revenue to strengthen the squad, build new stands or even stadiums, and vastly improve their infrastructure ready for the next push to the Promised Land.  Surely that competitive edge to the league structure should not be lost with this proposal?

The gap in quality between Premier League teams is diminishing.  The big 4 – 6 is an anomaly.  The big clubs are beaten by the smaller clubs, not often I grant you but it does happen.  All the top managers are sincere when they say there are no easy games in the league.  It does pour scorn on this statement when clubs knock in 5 or 6 goals some weeks but even those blessed with billions sometimes struggle to break down some, ‘lesser’ teams.  We love the unpredictability of our league, the top 4 is now a top 6 or 7, there is a gaggle of clubs just under that clamouring to improve and progress.  All clubs make some astute signings in the summer window; things are developing into the league being a healthy competition, (behind the Manchester clubs anyway).

I am a football fan and always look forward to watching 'my team' in any league game.  I love the style of football we play and want to see our players performing in this league as much as I can.  The occasions against the, ‘big’ clubs are great but I also enjoy all the other games.  There are always important points are at stake, lots of, ‘must win’ games where the tension is often unbearable.  Additionally I watch all games when I can for upsets, (they do happen), rivals to lose, (juvenile I know), and the dog eat dog games where teams are scrapping for their very survival.  Sometimes passion overtakes quality but you could never fault the commitment shown by all.  Rare gems are unearthed by watching all the games, names to keep an eye on in the transfer window and who are a topic of conversation down the pub.  Overall, there is nothing better in sport than to watch your team at the highest level of competition domestically, (and occasionally in Europe).

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it

The Premier League is recognised as being the best in the world.  A large number of world class players are here, although money could be argued as being a reason for them coming to these shores, a lot say their ambition is to play here during their career.  Top managers want to test themselves here; you can’t beat it for excitement and drama, why should we consider changing?

I visited Singapore last year and was talking to a chef in the hotel restaurant.  Every Saturday, (if he has a day off), he watches 3 back to back live Premier League games and has a wealth of knowledge about ALL of the teams in the league.  We were discussing the use of wide players at Bolton and the long ball philosophy!  He had a considered, (and knowledgeable), opinion on a variety of individual players, (from the majority of clubs in the league), in respect of their strengths and weaknesses and the different tactics which clubs should employ.  He loves our game and regularly watches games with a large group of friends all wearing their replica shirts!  That shows the global marketing and brand of the League, it is hugely successful, is what appears to be financial greed going to have a massive impact in our football world?

We live in an era of unimaginable riches in the game, (not for all though), we seem to be witnessing events which look like shaping the future not necessarily for the better.