So... the European Super League.
Three thoughts from a football fan:
a) It has been coming;
b) but, the proposal is incoherent; and
c) the Govt's position is... interesting
THREAD 1/10
Three thoughts from a football fan:
a) It has been coming;
b) but, the proposal is incoherent; and
c) the Govt's position is... interesting
THREAD 1/10
a) We reap what we sow. Football, at the top level, has long been governed by the relentless search for profit. Links with fans and communities have progressively been weakened. Stories like the @AFCWimbledon story are few and far between. 2/10
The big clubs are owned by millionaires, who want to maximise their profits. They want financial security, and hate risk/jeopardy.
Failing to qualify for the Champions League, or at a different level, relegation from the Premier League, spells financial disaster. 3/10
Failing to qualify for the Champions League, or at a different level, relegation from the Premier League, spells financial disaster. 3/10
Why not try to secure their income streams? Why not have a league in which the biggest clubs play each other every year in front of huge global audiences? Other Leagues (eg the NFL in the US) are 'closed shops' - why should football not be more like that? 4/10
b) The incoherent part of the plan is not so much the creation of the Super League, but the coexistence of the Super League with domestic leagues (like the Premier League). 5/10
It may be that the Govt, the FA, the EPL, UEFA and FIFA will force the clubs to choose between the Super League and the rest of football - and there are interesting legal questions about they can do.
But, the plan seems to involve the continuation of domestic leagues. 6/10
But, the plan seems to involve the continuation of domestic leagues. 6/10
Those leagues, and competition within them, will be badly damaged. The gulf between the 6 and the 14 will grow. Little will turn on final league position. There will be knock-on effects on team selection (the big clubs may have distinct SPL and EPL teams)... 7/10
...And knock-on effects on transfers (how can an aspiring footballer monetise his global brand if his club is not in the Super League?).
The playing field is far from level today... these proposals would unbalance it in an unprecedented way. 8/10
The playing field is far from level today... these proposals would unbalance it in an unprecedented way. 8/10
And c), the Govt is positioning itself on the side of the fan, pledging to do what it can to curb corporate excess.
It will be interesting to see the extent to which that sort of approach is carried over into other areas of policy. 9/10
It will be interesting to see the extent to which that sort of approach is carried over into other areas of policy. 9/10
Is this people v elite? Is it a sign of a move towards big Government? Or is it a little bit less principled and more opportunistic? I guess time will tell. 10/10
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