The Super League | FA + PL: New Charter & Fines | UEFA: Settlement

[JASR]

Breaking News:

Manchester City could face an immediate ban from European football. UEFA have announced that an investigation will take place over an alleged unofficial Russian sponsorship deal. The probe was instigated after a UEFA official representing Liverpool realised the club were selling Vodka at the stadiums bars.

I think you've got that confused a bit.

What it is, is that during the investigation of the alleged City so called coach attack, has led to the uncovering of shards and remains of vodka bottles inbedded/stashed in the framework of the coach, these are clearly attempts by City to conceal their Russian allegiances from the general public.
Liverpool fans have been praised for their diligence in highlighting of the issue, by their popular gathering and simultaneous shouting and pointing at the heinous breaches paraded in full view of a suspect police. The illuminating of the shards (the flare lights cause glimpses of the shards) was described as a unique touch only Liverpool fans could think of.

 

[mat]

I think you've got that confused a bit.

What it is, is that during the investigation of the alleged City so called coach attack, has led to the uncovering of shards and remains of vodka bottles inbedded/stashed in the framework of the coach, these are clearly attempts by City to conceal their Russian allegiances from the general public.
Liverpool fans have been praised for their diligence in highlighting of the issue, by their popular gathering and simultaneous shouting and pointing at the heinous breaches paraded in full view of a suspect police. The illuminating of the shards (the flare lights cause glimpses of the shards) was described as a unique touch only Liverpool fans could think of.

By Jove! You've nailed it.

We're bang to rights and playing in the national league next week.

 

[halfcenturyup]

I think you've got that confused a bit.

What it is, is that during the investigation of the alleged City so called coach attack, has led to the uncovering of shards and remains of vodka bottles inbedded/stashed in the framework of the coach, these are clearly attempts by City to conceal their Russian allegiances from the general public.
Liverpool fans have been praised for their diligence in highlighting of the issue, by their popular gathering and simultaneous shouting and pointing at the heinous breaches paraded in full view of a suspect police. The illuminating of the shards (the flare lights cause glimpses of the shards) was described as a unique touch only Liverpool fans could think of.

The Illuminating of the Shards is a great name for a novel.

 

[East Level 2]

Breaking News:

Manchester City could face an immediate ban from European football. UEFA have announced that an investigation will take place over an alleged unofficial Russian sponsorship deal. The probe was instigated after a UEFA official representing Liverpool realised the club were selling Vodka at the stadiums bars.

This is serious as someone bought me a bottle of Manchester City Champions vodka for Christmas. - Does the war mean I can't drink it?

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Their arguments are just a desperate attempt to get fans behind any new proposals. They think the only thing fans didn't like was the closed-shop, permanent member proposal. I suspect they will again have misread the room, as well as what is likely to happen in the ECJ.

I particularly liked this bit:

"the ESL backers also claim that their new model will allow the creation of competitive clubs in European cities that do not currently have them – citing Luxembourg and Dublin as examples."

Whoopee doo .....

The problem is that the super league will probably happen at some stage. The lack of open competition was the biggest obstacle. I am not a fan of the ESL (as carved up by Real, Barca etc) but the corrupt UEFA model is unsustainable and can't survive long-term because the clubs have no control over their own products and are dictated to by corrupt political figures. UEFA is a commercial rival for the clubs themselves. Any new system will have to have a separate strong regulator which is not a business rival for participants and the clubs will get virtually all the broadcast revenues and manage it themselves.

 

[TFC]

No matter what they do to dress it up, when it eventually happens, whether City are in it or not - its going to be shit.

 

[halfcenturyup]

The problem is that the super league will probably happen at some stage. The lack of open competition was the biggest obstacle. I am not a fan of the ESL (as carved up by Real, Barca etc) but the corrupt UEFA model is unsustainable and can't survive long-term because the clubs have no control over their own products and are dictated to by corrupt political figures. UEFA is a commercial rival for the clubs themselves. Any new system will have to have a separate strong regulator which is not a business rival for participants and the clubs will get virtually all the broadcast revenues and manage it themselves.

Maybe. Maybe not. UEFA is supported by all the football associations in Europe and half of the governments. I expect the ECJ to uphold UEFA's regulatory role and their right to stage tournaments, but I also expect the ECJ to say UEFA can't stop other competitions, as long as they meet certain criteria benefitting football as a whole, or at least not harming it. This would be consistent with previous ECJ decisions imo and wouldn't upset the political apple cart. Then it will be up to UEFA to set criteria that promotes merit and protects the national leagues and the football pyramid. And finally, to get participation money to a level that matches the ESL. Job done.

If not, and the ESL rises again, they can refuse a licence and spend years in court.

But what the fuck do I know?

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Maybe. Maybe not. UEFA is supported by all the football associations in Europe and half of the governments. I expect the ECJ to uphold UEFA's regulatory role and their right to stage tournaments, but I also expect the ECJ to say UEFA can't stop other competitions, as long as they meet certain criteria benefitting football as a whole, or at least not harming it. This would be consistent with previous ECJ decisions imo and wouldn't upset the political apple cart. Then it will be up to UEFA to set criteria that promotes merit and protects the national leagues and the football pyramid. And finally, to get participation money to a level that matches the ESL. Job done.

If not, and the ESL rises again, they can refuse a licence and spend years in court.

But what the fuck do I know?

I just think it is inevitable because of the technology. When the biggest clubs can make £100m by streaming one pay-per view match live to a global audience they are not going to accept £100m a season from UEFA. The clubs just don''t need UEFA any more unless it turns itself into a proper independent regulator (and is paid for that task by the clubs) UEFA is just a corrupt gravy train which is becoming extinct. The same is true of the mainstream broadcasters.
Whether we like it or not clubs will soon be streaming games live across the world to fans with virtual reality season tickets. Perhaps matchgoing fans will (as we have heard for years) finally get cheaper match tickets when this happens. The British Government will drop its objections as soon as they realise they can boost their treasury funds with a huge increase in tax income. At present they get virtually no tax income at all from most of the biggest clubs.

 

[Gremlin]

This is serious as someone bought me a bottle of Manchester City Champions vodka for Christmas. - Does the war mean I can't drink it?

No, it means you should drink it really quickly while you still have the chance.

 

[halfcenturyup]

I just think it is inevitable because of the technology. When the biggest clubs can make £100m by streaming one pay-per view match live to a global audience they are not going to accept £100m a season from UEFA. The clubs just don''t need UEFA any more unless it turns itself into a proper independent regulator (and is paid for that task by the clubs) UEFA is just a corrupt gravy train which is becoming extinct. The same is true of the mainstream broadcasters.
Whether we like it or not clubs will soon be streaming games live across the world to fans with virtual reality season tickets. Perhaps matchgoing fans will (as we have heard for years) finally get cheaper match tickets when this happens. The British Government will drop its objections as soon as they realise they can boost their treasury funds with a huge increase in tax income. At present they get virtually no tax income at all from most of the biggest clubs.

Fair enough as far as the future is concerned, but then I suppose the question is who better to manage the new technologies for the betterment of football: UEFA and the football associations in the existing ESM, or a cartel of clubs in an ESL?

ESL fanboys expecting a Super League after the ECJ verdict this year, though, will be disappointed I think.