I'm gutted. This feels both inevitable and shocking all at once. Inevitable because really it's just the natural conclusion of where football has been heading for quite some time, and shocking because it's still such a blow to see them go from virtually a closed shop to taking that step to make it an actual definitive closed shop.
I accept some people may not have a big issue with that, but for me that is the crux of the matter. I'm not naive. I know that for some clubs, especially the likes of Madrid and Barca they are almost assured of CL football every year and that football is an unfair competition. But, even with their huge advantage they still have to 'earn' their place if you will, and it makes the domestic league relevant. I still think people don't realise how much this could damage domestic leagues, particularly in England, with 6 'founding fathers' in there, including recent specialists in failure Arsenal, troughing away at the money in perpetuity. Christ on a bike.
Now, instead of a competition heavily weighted in favour of the cartel and history clubs it is no longer a sporting competition at all. There is a world of difference for me, the distinction is huge, though I can understand why some might not see it that way. In my mind no club should ever be guaranteed a place at the top table, regardless of who they are. For that reason, if this goes through, I'll be done with elite club football.
Edited to add: Originally I said I don't blame City for going along with it. However, having watched Ste's
@twosips video and listening to Howard on the 93:20 pod I totally agree with them, the club are complicit.
Considering who the people in charge are and the time they spent investing in the club to make it one of the biggest in the world, they were never going to allow themselves to be shut out again. So I understand. But, as a football fan, I don't have to like it. I can't stand it. And I don't need to hang around for the dirty parade.
I'm actually quite lucky, I've been a Falkirk supporter my whole life. And I can assure you we are truly fucking horrific. But we are so far removed from this level of football I can watch them knowing this has no impact at all on the club. But I also fell in love with City because of what they represented to me. A team followed by genuine fans, sticking by their team in huge numbers despite going through a lot more shit than good stuff. Then out of the blue, winning the golden ticket and having the chance to rise up and give a giant "Fuck you!" to their detractors. Especially the rags. A club genuinely living the dream. Who couldn't love that? Evidently, quite a lot of people.
For you folks who have only known City and for whom the club is a part of who you are, yet absolutely despise this situation, I truly sympathise.