No More Champions League For Me

[conormcfc]

There's no confusion. However, the draw is set up so that the big clubs get through from the group stages. Then you can't meet an opponent from your own country in the round after that. Like I say, contrived. They may as well set out who plays whom at the start without bothering with a draw, tell us who is going to win each round and then we can all book our flights accordingly.

Yes, you get rewarded for previous performances in the competition. We have been shit in europe previously so we aren't seeded amongst the teams with more pedigree.

Milan for example are one of the world's biggest clubs. As they haven't done too well in the last few years in europe, they've ended up in groups with Barca and Real. It's the price you pay.

I've always said this, but it should just go back to straight knockout. First round Bayern could draw Barça, so what? Luck of the draw.


But no, UEFA will not allow this to happen. They couldn't allow their chums from the big teams to lose the money. That fundamentally is why the CL is rigged. It safeguards all the big teams from going out early.

That leads me onto another point, until we get to Pot 1 or at a push pot 2, we won't get that far in the competition. Unless we draw someone like Porto in pot 1 we're always going to get a Bayern, Barça etc.. And end up finishing second in the group and getting a big team in the last 16. Which means our progress will be slow. So we need to hope that sooner or later we get someone like Porto so we can finish top of the group this getting an easy last 16 team, like United... Oops ;). Oh, we can't get them!

Or, we could stop moaning about difficult draws and actually produce some results against top sides, like Dortmund did last year when they came into the competition as 4th seeds before winning the group of death and getting to the final.

 

[cityok]

All these whinging fooks would be the first in the queue if we ever reached a final

People need to get a grip, if we'd have won last night this thread wouldn't even exist.

even a draw and this wouldn't be here - rattle pram thrown.

 

[Bodicoteblue]

The CL is basically a scheme for the "top clubs" ( and we all know who they are ) to indulge in self aggrandisement and self enrichment . That is why it is set up the way it is with all the usual suspects cruising through easy groups , picking up decent sized cheques and getting into the knockout stages where even larger cheques abound.
It has become a self perpetuating "old boys network" style competition run by ,and for its members to the exclusion of the regular fan.(we all saw that last night)
The whole point of FFP is to stop upstarts like us from winning it , and if they have their way , to try and stop us even qualifying for it.
The body that runs it and their big brothers at FIFA must be two of the most undemocratic set -ups ever . They are run like personal fiefdoms
by the men in suits led by the emptiest suits ever , who dictate how clubs should run their finances irrespective of their relative financial positions,particularly in terms of debt ( all done in their own self- interest ) while the barons of Trafford and Barca, and Madrid and Milan all decide how the rule book should be written , as long as they are allowed to bend a few themselves (particularly if one of your family works at one of them). Their competitions and their modus operandi are riddled with corruption ( how else can you explain the awarding of world cups to countries like Russia , not forgetting huge sponsorship from dubious gas companies, and places in the Middle East with no football culture and temperatures of 50 degrees at kick off time ) and it's going to stay the same until someone challenges it .
The current case being conducted against FFP is vital. If it succeeds , it could drive a stake through its heart and could lead to its total unravelling and the possibilities of a new rather more democratic body and if it doesn't then there could be all kinds of breakaway proposals from big clubs who are being refused equality with the "elite". I'm not holding my breath though.
Meantime we have to take part in their contrived and rigged competition and be thankful for the crumbs that fall from the table of the rulers simply because we need the revenues to meet their contrived and rigged FFP rules so that we can take part in their contrived and rigged competition!
Going round in ever decreasing circles- it's got to stop somewhere.

 

[Happy Feet]

I afraid it's domestic football only for me from now on. I've been increasingly disillusioned with the so called Champions League for some time and my decision is not just a reaction to last night. I will save my money for our Wembley trips from now on.
reasons :-
1. Bent referees
2. Blatantly rigged draws designed to ensure half a dozen big clubs progress

3. Rip off ticket prices
4. FFPR designed to protect half a dozen big clubs
5. No alcohol in grounds.
6. UEFA effectively condoning racist chanting
7. UEFA insisting no domestic games are played on CL nights
8. Season ticket holders being forced out of their seats for press seats and bigger advertising boards
9. Meaningless group games with nothing at stake
10. Obvious bias by high ranking UEFA officials (eg Platini) towards certain clubs and against English clubs in particular City
11. Heavy handed and often thug like policing abroad
12. The Etihad filled with tourists on Champions League nights

Any other plans for your future life you want to share ? What you having for tea?

 

[aguero93:20]

The CL is basically a scheme for the "top clubs" ( and we all know who they are ) to indulge in self aggrandisement and self enrichment . That is why it is set up the way it is with all the usual suspects cruising through easy groups , picking up decent sized cheques and getting into the knockout stages where even larger cheques abound.
It has become a self perpetuating "old boys network" style competition run by ,and for its members to the exclusion of the regular fan.(we all saw that last night)
The whole point of FFP is to stop upstarts like us from winning it , and if they have their way , to try and stop us even qualifying for it.
The body that runs it and their big brothers at FIFA must be two of the most undemocratic set -ups ever . They are run like personal fiefdoms
by the men in suits led by the emptiest suits ever , who dictate how clubs should run their finances irrespective of their relative financial positions,particularly in terms of debt ( all done in their own self- interest ) while the barons of Trafford and Barca, and Madrid and Milan all decide how the rule book should be written , as long as they are allowed to bend a few themselves (particularly if one of your family works at one of them). Their competitions and their modus operandi are riddled with corruption ( how else can you explain the awarding of world cups to countries like Russia , not forgetting huge sponsorship from dubious gas companies, and places in the Middle East with no football culture and temperatures of 50 degrees at kick off time ) and it's going to stay the same until someone challenges it .
The current case being conducted against FFP is vital. If it succeeds , it could drive a stake through its heart and could lead to its total unravelling and the possibilities of a new rather more democratic body and if it doesn't then there could be all kinds of breakaway proposals from big clubs who are being refused equality with the "elite". I'm not holding my breath though.
Meantime we have to take part in their contrived and rigged competition and be thankful for the crumbs that fall from the table of the rulers simply because we need the revenues to meet their contrived and rigged FFP rules so that we can take part in their contrived and rigged competition!
Going round in ever decreasing circles- it's got to stop somewhere.

Nicely said, you could add in that there's absolutely no oversight systems within their governance like you would have in any other governing body and that they're seeking to enlarge the competitions to the detriment of the quality of the football on show solely in the interests of enlarging the pockets of the big clubs with cash-cow, no contest easy games to allow them to milk their fans for all they're worth.

 

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

I afraid it's domestic football only for me from now on. I've been increasingly disillusioned with the so called Champions League for some time and my decision is not just a reaction to last night. I will save my money for our Wembley trips from now on.
reasons :-
1. Bent referees
2. Blatantly rigged draws designed to ensure half a dozen big clubs progress

3. Rip off ticket prices
4. FFPR designed to protect half a dozen big clubs
5. No alcohol in grounds.
6. UEFA effectively condoning racist chanting
7. UEFA insisting no domestic games are played on CL nights
8. Season ticket holders being forced out of their seats for press seats and bigger advertising boards
9. Meaningless group games with nothing at stake
10. Obvious bias by high ranking UEFA officials (eg Platini) towards certain clubs and against English clubs in particular City
11. Heavy handed and often thug like policing abroad
12. The Etihad filled with tourists on Champions League nights

GO and watch FC United then. You can have a cheap pie and jump up and down with your arm in the air chanting "'Who are ya?" as much as you want.

Last night was one of the great nights in The Etihad Stadium's short history. The eyes of the world upon us, a great tactical battle between two teams containing some of the best footballers in the world, a tense, big match atmosphere, no trouble and excitement from start to finish.

I really enjoyed it, even though things didn't go our way. It showed how good we have got, and the fact that we are very much in the hunt for three other trophies was a big silver lining to the cloud.

I've paid my dues stood on windy terracing watching Lee Crooks in a meaningless game. I've sat in a half empty Etihad watching us labour to create a chance against Bolton. Fuck that. I want more of last night.

DD's comments pretty much mirror my own thoughts.

The shoe will be on the other foot when we are one of the exalted few in a couple of years.....won't be so much sour grapes then I think

 

[Tom_mcfc]

Why go then? It is hardly a surprise this is our 3rd year in the competition so majority of your reasons you would of been aware of before attending? Bent referees is a debatable one but last night had nothing to do with refs.

 

[yaba daba BLUUUUUE]

I thought it was great! One of the best matches of the season. Great atmosphere from the home supporters. The buildup and everything just made it feel like a special match. I will be going to as many as I can.

 

[Rodney]

I afraid it's domestic football only for me from now on. I've been increasingly disillusioned with the so called Champions League for some time and my decision is not just a reaction to last night. I will save my money for our Wembley trips from now on.
reasons :-
1. Bent referees
2. Blatantly rigged draws designed to ensure half a dozen big clubs progress

3. Rip off ticket prices
4. FFPR designed to protect half a dozen big clubs
5. No alcohol in grounds.
6. UEFA effectively condoning racist chanting
7. UEFA insisting no domestic games are played on CL nights
8. Season ticket holders being forced out of their seats for press seats and bigger advertising boards
9. Meaningless group games with nothing at stake
10. Obvious bias by high ranking UEFA officials (eg Platini) towards certain clubs and against English clubs in particular City
11. Heavy handed and often thug like policing abroad
12. The Etihad filled with tourists on Champions League nights

Agree with everything said here, - I will not be on the UEFA scheme next year.

 

[Neil_K]

I afraid it's domestic football only for me from now on. I've been increasingly disillusioned with the so called Champions League for some time and my decision is not just a reaction to last night. I will save my money for our Wembley trips from now on.
reasons :-
1. Bent referees
2. Blatantly rigged draws designed to ensure half a dozen big clubs progress

3. Rip off ticket prices
4. FFPR designed to protect half a dozen big clubs
5. No alcohol in grounds.
6. UEFA effectively condoning racist chanting
7. UEFA insisting no domestic games are played on CL nights
8. Season ticket holders being forced out of their seats for press seats and bigger advertising boards
9. Meaningless group games with nothing at stake
10. Obvious bias by high ranking UEFA officials (eg Platini) towards certain clubs and against English clubs in particular City
11. Heavy handed and often thug like policing abroad
12. The Etihad filled with tourists on Champions League nights

GO and watch FC United then. You can have a cheap pie and jump up and down with your arm in the air chanting "'Who are ya?" as much as you want.

Last night was one of the great nights in The Etihad Stadium's short history. The eyes of the world upon us, a great tactical battle between two teams containing some of the best footballers in the world, a tense, big match atmosphere, no trouble and excitement from start to finish.

I really enjoyed it, even though things didn't go our way. It showed how good we have got, and the fact that we are very much in the hunt for three other trophies was a big silver lining to the cloud.

I've paid my dues stood on windy terracing watching Lee Crooks in a meaningless game. I've sat in a half empty Etihad watching us labour to create a chance against Bolton. Fuck that. I want more of last night.

Spot on. I've done my time watching us toil for fuck all.

Every other supporter of other clubs (barring the obvious) would love to be in our shoes.

Enjoy it. These are the good times, and things are going to get better.