I get your broader point but Shaktar got huge investment from the richest businessman in Ukraine before the war. The CL money was peanuts in comparison. The important thing is that individual domestic leagues ensure that there is a proper structure in place so that money cascades down. There will always be rich clubs in the biggest leagues. I hate the current set up with the UEFA crooks in charge. There has to be a better system.
I am not saying I trust EUFA or think the CL is perfect or couldn’t be better. I just know we need it, not just for the cash, we’ll really it’s mostly the cash, but that cash helps us improve if used correctly. Now I know our board are cunts and useless, but I think now they have learned that complacency is not on. I just love the CL games at home and away. I think we will put up a better show this year, might not, might be fucking leathered, but I live in hope. I just think it gives us access to what is for you a left leg of a player, but to us it’s vital. Not defending the corruption of those cunts in Zurich by any means
I can understand why Celtic fans love European football but it doesn't have to be run by UEFA who cream off most of the broadcast and sponsorship money and rip off the fans when the final is held. For example this year Rangers got about £3m for being runners up in the Europa League. If Rangers and Frankfurt managed their own broadcasting rights (or at least got a bigger share of a club-owned competition) they could have shared at least £100m from streaming that match. Like Celtic, they both have huge fanbases who would have paid £10 to watch it on TV. Wouldn't it be better to pay the club you support rather than the twats at BT Sport? It is just a thought but I believe football needs to modernise. A new competition could be a game-changer for clubs with huge fanbases like Celtic, Rangers, Schalke, Frankfurt, Benfica, Ajax etc etc etc. At present they have virtually no chance to compete.
Also a rule should be brought in that some of the broadcast payments have to be ringfenced (perhaps as high as 10 per cent) and the money shared by clubs in the domestic leagues. This would be great for Scottish football long-term. It would improve competition which would also drive up standards for the bigger clubs like Celtic and Rangers and even Hearts and Hibs.
Do we have an idea of the accounts of UEFA? How much they make, where they spend it? I am pretty neutral on UEFA and FIFA but I really know nothing about what they actually do, or with how much money.
We know that Platini who was UEFA boss for almost 10 years thinks it is normal to get £1m cash payments
Yes, you need to balance the draw of a few teams with the need of the many, of course. In 20/21 UEFA paid 1.1 billion euros into the national associations by way of "solidarity" payments, that's 20% of their income on top of the distributions to participating teams. I am not sure the teams who are the biggest draws in Europe would be so charitable if they made their own broadcast income. Not much history of philanthropy at Liverpool, United, Madrid and Barcelona.
Wow that’s some income for UEFA. You are right to be cynical about the top clubs. But they can increase their revenues hugely by cutting out UEFA, as much as five times the broadcast figures for example so they can afford it. They have to preserve the pryamid structure or they lose it all.
You only have to look at the 2 dipper games vs us last season to realise the game is being manipulated.
www.sportspromedia.com
Sounds wonderful, Celtic and Rangers get an extra £7 million to pull even further away from Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Hibs, Hearts etc, while Trafford get £700 million, Real and Barca similar, Juve, Bayern, Littlewoods etc £500 million, and Leavy, FSG, and the Glazers enjoy increased dividends without needing to spend as much.
