Is the European super league back? | United Statement: We remain committed to UEFA

[Deleted 112447]

If the super league helps with the fight against the EPL then why isn’t the CL not doing so?
Literally the only way this makes sense is if the top clubs take more money off the lesser clubs that are currently in the CL otherwise where else is the money coming from?

To be clear I do not want the super league. But I understand why it is needed, from a point of view. You either keep going with the corrupt UEFA and end up with City vs PSG vs some club in Malta that some nation state decided to buy, or the big clubs (also where the fans are) take matters in their own hands.

The question of the money for the pyramid is a non issue either way. Regardless where you play you still buy players. The money comes from fans, TV, sponsors. It is a bit of a hard point to take but clubs and people that complain about United and Madrid being rich are ignoring how much money came to them because of this. Same point can be made of City and State driven clubs but the difference? The deference is that it's irrelevant how good you are doing as a club, a state club will always have more, they can never be overtaken.

 

[RedRoach]

I reckon there will be a European Super League without the English clubs (for the first few seasons) since there is no local support for it.

The rest of Europe know that the EPL is going to commercially dominate if they don't do something so a combined French/Spanish/Italian league is my bet in attempt to rival the EPL.

Seems to confirm https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/eng...ue-outrage-premier-league/blt2fe59b6f84254f25

 

[cyberman]

To be clear I do not want the super league. But I understand why it is needed, from a point of view. You either keep going with the corrupt UEFA and end up with City vs PSG vs some club in Malta that some nation state decided to buy, or the big clubs (also where the fans are) take matters in their own hands.

The question of the money for the pyramid is a non issue either way. Regardless where you play you still buy players. The money comes from fans, TV, sponsors. It is a bit of a hard point to take but clubs and people that complain about United and Madrid being rich are ignoring how much money came to them because of this. Same point can be made of City and State driven clubs but the difference? The deference is that it's irrelevant how good you are doing as a club, a state club will always have more, they can never be overtaken.

But why would this help when the CL hasn’t? If it’s competing with English football it’s not as if there will be enough money to bring every participating team up to EPL level so how would it help?
Only way it helps is if certain teams got money and that’s my problem with it. They gave their hand away with the closed shop attempt so they can’t turn around and say it’s there to help everybody now.

 

[golden_blunder]

I think it's about a CL replacement for sure (The CL would still exist as it is a UEFA competition). Clubs will be in their own leagues because anything different would be destructive to those very same clubs for the reasons you pointed to.

Regardless, you must at least see the issue here. Big clubs are looking for their own interest sure, but it is also the interest of football that the game does not become a play of nations and gangsters.

Football has almost become too big now, too little too late almost. But there has to be a way to financially level the field rather than new competitions bringing in more money for big clubs again. Don’t you see the irony?

 

[golden_blunder]

But why would this help when the CL hasn’t? If it’s competing with English football it’s not as if there will be enough money to bring every participating team up to EPL level so how would it help?
Only way it helps is if certain teams got money and that’s my problem with it. They gave their hand away with the closed shop attempt so they can’t turn around and say it’s there to help everybody now.

Exactly, they were caught out

 

[golden_blunder]

You can’t level something financially by giving massive clubs more money.

limit what they can spend, force them to use more home grown players, even limit the amount of transfers a team can make in
A season so you don’t get Chelsea type scenarios again, cap wages, there are loads of things they can do other than give them more money! It’s ludicrous that Barca for example could buy loads despite being broke. Where’s the checks? Live within your means and whether restrictions are set

 

[Deleted 112447]

But why would this help when the CL hasn’t? If it’s competing with English football it’s not as if there will be enough money to bring every participating team up to EPL level so how would it help?
Only way it helps is if certain teams got money and that’s my problem with it. They gave their hand away with the closed shop attempt so they can’t turn around and say it’s there to help everybody now.

It helps to protect top level football from becoming a play toy of nation states. God save the King but also Madrid because they are now the only thing that stands for European football not being a badge on some dictators hat.

As far as teams getting money, I don't inderstand. Should Jackel FC get more money result in being of that all the competitions belong to insert country? Competition is not just about money getting down the piramid, it's also about the top. Unless you are G. Neville and then you are ok with gansgters and dictatorships.

 

[Deleted 112447]

You can’t level something financially by giving massive clubs more money.

limit what they can spend, force them to use more home grown players, even limit the amount of transfers a team can make in
A season so you don’t get Chelsea type scenarios again, cap wages, there are loads of things they can do other than give them more money! It’s ludicrous that Barca for example could buy loads despite being broke. Where’s the checks? Live within your means and whether restrictions are set

It does not work. As we've seen. You can not make rules when the people enforcing the rules are mega corrupt.

 

[carvajal]

You can’t level something financially by giving massive clubs more money.

limit what they can spend, force them to use more home grown players, even limit the amount of transfers a team can make in
A season so you don’t get Chelsea type scenarios again, cap wages, there are loads of things they can do other than give them more money! It’s ludicrous that Barca for example could buy loads despite being broke. Where’s the checks? Live within your means and whether restrictions are set

It can be done but has not been done. The most obvious example is Manchester City. PSG in the same way has surely paid huge amounts off the books, to players and agents.
UEFA has done nothing all this time, that's why the most important point in all this is the financial control.
The elite teams have two options, to accept to be the extras for state teams or to look for alternatives.
A new stadium will probably not even be enough for Madrid.
Remember also that the English teams accepted in principle the Super League. This competition was not created behind their backs.

 

[Deleted 112447]

It can be done but has not been done. The most obvious example is Manchester City. PSG in the same way has surely paid huge amounts off the books, to players and agents.
UEFA has done nothing all this time, that's why the most important point in all this is the financial control.
The elite teams have two options, to accept to be the companions of state teams or to look for alternatives.
A new stadium will probably not even be enough for Madrid.
Remember also that the English teams accepted in principle the Super League. This competition was not created behind their backs.

The new stadium and any such investments or fan base are irrelevant to the growth of the club if you compete with not clubs, but countries.

Feck it, I agree with the status que. I want United to be bought by the EU or the USA. If it's ok for nation states to bring their wealth to club football, then I want the US to bring a carrier battle group to protect our goal. I want the CIA to negotiate our new signings too.

 

[Tapori]

Yeah, that’s the prevalent issue with most small players in all industries after the Bolkestein directive from 15 years ago, and with the exact same arguments purpoted over this exact topic (fundamentally: current monopolies crying wolf ) … just to say, Italy 2023, taxi and sea shore license holders still make for the most vocal and hard-nosed opposition to any government will to open their sectors… and yet, consumers everywhere are very happy to buy their, say, Geox shoes for 30€ on Amazon instead of paying 90€ for the exact model at their local brick&mortar premises in the malls. Nothing is perfect, yet the EU is a veeeery powerful driver since its inception, and Qatar monies “lobbying” can only slow that same process in football, imho.

Would take it off topic but EU market rules are not necessarily a good thing in many sectors. See: Greek Bailout and Rail industry.

Good points with one suggestion; UEFA and FIFA are not stating that A22 can't create a new league - They are arguing AFAIK, that IF clubs participate in A22s competition then they cannot also participate in UEFA and FIFA's competitions without any consequence.

And as FIFA sanctions national and domestic leagues to some degree as does UEFA, it would irrevocably set a precedent for say the IOC. The ICC in Cricket has had to face this issue but it's markedly different as International sides dictate policy.

 

[Tapori]

Well, if such proposal had the strength to change the status quo of European football they would take it seriously. If some people consider it disingenuous or not, I don't think that's the relevant factor.

Also, if they were into 1 billion debt, creating a competition with bigger income to try to reduce the gap and please the shareholders would look like a legitimate move to me.

I think it is relevant; it's not changing the status quo per se; it's taking your football home with you and then salting the erath after you've left.

Interesting point but then we throw it back to you; as Madridistas you don't have shareholders and you have some form of democratic accountability and in terms of income, the PL broadcasting rights are distributed differently to La Liga.
It just looks like you, Barca and Juve want to have your cakes and eat them and then complain all the cakes are gone so you have to create more cakes but you won't stop eating cakes and wanting them, to exist and then destroying everyone else bakeries.

 

[Zehner]

You can’t level something financially by giving massive clubs more money.

limit what they can spend, force them to use more home grown players, even limit the amount of transfers a team can make in
A season so you don’t get Chelsea type scenarios again, cap wages, there are loads of things they can do other than give them more money! It’s ludicrous that Barca for example could buy loads despite being broke. Where’s the checks? Live within your means and whether restrictions are set

I think that would be the best solution to ensure upwards fluidity. If you just prevent suggar daddies, then it will simply be the big clubs who distance themselves beyond all hopes from the rest of the pack.

The issue at core here is that if a few clubs can outspend everyone else, then they will eventually make a mockery out of the league competition they play in like it is happening in Germany, France and until recently in Italy as well. And that situation will again increase acceptance or even support of the ESL. If you want to prevent it, I believe the measurements you mention are necessary.

Anyway, I doubt they'll be seen through so I fear that we'll get the ESL ultimately. It's up to football fans to show the participants what they think of it by sticking to their domestic leagues even if the level is worse.

 

[adexkola]

I think that would be the best solution to ensure upwards fluidity. If you just prevent suggar daddies, then it will simply be the big clubs who distance themselves beyond all hopes from the rest of the pack.

The issue at core here is that if a few clubs can outspend everyone else, then they will eventually make a mockery out of the league competition they play in like it is happening in Germany, France and until recently in Italy as well. And that situation will again increase acceptance or even support of the ESL. If you want to prevent it, I believe the measurements you mention are necessary.

Anyway, I doubt they'll be seen through so I fear that we'll get the ESL ultimately. It's up to football fans to show the participants what they think of it by sticking to their domestic leagues even if the level is worse.

The bolded is not a concern of most fans of big clubs. If you ask this population, life was great before Chelsea came through in 2003 with new money. Prevent sugar daddies, and life is great again.

 

[Dave Smith]

I think that would be the best solution to ensure upwards fluidity. If you just prevent suggar daddies, then it will simply be the big clubs who distance themselves beyond all hopes from the rest of the pack.

The issue at core here is that if a few clubs can outspend everyone else, then they will eventually make a mockery out of the league competition they play in like it is happening in Germany, France and until recently in Italy as well. And that situation will again increase acceptance or even support of the ESL. If you want to prevent it, I believe the measurements you mention are necessary.

Anyway, I doubt they'll be seen through so I fear that we'll get the ESL ultimately. It's up to football fans to show the participants what they think of it by sticking to their domestic leagues even if the level is worse.

I cannot see it happening tbh. Firstly, the English and German clubs will not participate. After that PSG have too much power in UEFA/the ECA now that they won't join. Then there is Portugal where the Big 3 have fans throughout the country who want them playing sides local to them so they can see them regularly.

That leaves Italy, Spain, Holland and the rest of France to decide on what they want to do. But here is the kicker. If the big clubs from those countries depart for a ESL they'll have to give up on the CL/EL which if the smaller sides stick to their domestic leagues will qualify for. Why would they then jump ship? Additionally, for teams like Ajax, Olympicacos, Bruges, Salzburg, Rangers, Celtic (I.e. teams that play in the CL typically) is the jump worth the risk as all decisions will be made principally by the big clubs from Spain and Italy?

I just don't see Real, Barca and Juve getting enough support for this, as teams will have to risk no UEFA money and potential difficulties with staying in their own domestic leagues. As it stands, with the ECJ likely to back UEFA, this is just a pipe dream that is being done to win some public support and limit UEFA'S response to RBJ once the verdict is in.

 

[Krakenzero]

With due respect I think it is you that is missing the point. It is not about helping anyone else but yourself (clubs). United, Milan, etc did not enter for the love of Madrid and the mess they have. It is about a system that allowed states to get involved in the game and have exceptional power, far more then an entity like UEFA can manage; the super league is a response to the destruction of the competition while govern by an impotent entity. The clubs, as they are, made an agreement that they and they alone can create a level playing field less everything becomes a play of nation states.

I do not agree with the super league, but in the situation we are in, it might just be the only solution to save football from being a toy to dictatorship nations. I for one would much rather see a Real Madrid vs Man United in a mega, super, BS league, then x dictatorship vs y dictatorship.

How is the competition destroyed, judging by the last results of international tournaments?

Isn't the SL proposal of "spending depending on your revenue" a direct contradiction to the level playing field argument?

 

[Deleted 112447]

How is the competition destroyed, judging by the last results of international tournaments?

Isn't the SL proposal of "spending depending on your revenue" a direct contradiction to the level playing field argument?

The idea is that you should be and have based on what you did. If you worked for 100 years and had superb people there and build something, like United did, that can not be erased by me making a team tomorrow.

Level playing field is about getting at some place in the same way everybody else did. What the feck is the point being a Leicester and trying to be a real club when City, Newcastle, etc just get over you.

A level playing field is about having the same options and opportunities. Like in life. It does not mean that tomorrow you are equal to Bill Gates.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

The idea is that you should be and have based on what you did. If you worked for 100 years and had superb people there and build something, like United did, that can not be erased by me making a team tomorrow.

Level playing field is about getting at some place in the same way everybody else did. What the feck is the point being a Leicester and trying to be a real club when City, Newcastle, etc just get over you.

A level playing field is about having the same options and opportunities. Like in life. It does not mean that tomorrow you are equal to Bill Gates.

I know you mean about potential spending power, but how can there ever be a level playing field when some clubs fill out massive stadiums and some have a stadium that holds around 20,000. Some of those massive stadiums in London also charge the earth for tickets. The big clubs also pull in big sponsorship deals. There will always be the haves and the have nots.

 

[Deleted 112447]

I know you mean about potential spending power, but how can there ever be a level playing field when some clubs fill out massive stadiums and some have a stadium that holds around 20,000. Some of those massive stadiums in London also charge the earth for tickets. The big clubs also pull in big sponsorship deals. There will always be the haves and the have nots.

Level is about opportunity not the present. Else there would be no reason for anyone to improve in anything.

 

[Cloud7]

It helps to protect top level football from becoming a play toy of nation states. God save the King but also Madrid because they are now the only thing that stands for European football not being a badge on some dictators hat.

As far as teams getting money, I don't inderstand. Should Jackel FC get more money result in being of that all the competitions belong to insert country? Competition is not just about money getting down the piramid, it's also about the top. Unless you are G. Neville and then you are ok with gansgters and dictatorships.

The new stadium and any such investments or fan base are irrelevant to the growth of the club if you compete with not clubs, but countries.

Feck it, I agree with the status que. I want United to be bought by the EU or the USA. If it's ok for nation states to bring their wealth to club football, then I want the US to bring a carrier battle group to protect our goal. I want the CIA to negotiate our new signings too.

 

[giorno]

You mean a domestic consumer base accepting being pimped out by Sky, but otherwise spot on

Richer too, but yes. More in general english football has historically benefited from a strong local fanbase capable and willing to pump money into their clubs. Whereas in Spain and Italy, the culture has always been to *not* spend money on football. Take a PL game from the early 00s, and you'd see full stadiums and lots of fans wearing official merchandise. Do the same thing for Spain or Italy - at a time where the leagues were both stronger and more competitive, with *more* teams genuinely playing to win the league, and you'd see half empty stadiums and lots of people with cheap knockoff stuff

Throw in the indoor vs outdoor culture, and there you have it

Mind, the last tv deal in Spain was massive, suggesting a shift there towards more people willing to pay for football. Still obviously way off the PL, but that's natural - spanish consumers are only now starting to pay for football in numbers

 

[Krakenzero]

The idea is that you should be and have based on what you did. If you worked for 100 years and had superb people there and build something, like United did, that can not be erased by me making a team tomorrow.

Level playing field is about getting at some place in the same way everybody else did. What the feck is the point being a Leicester and trying to be a real club when City, Newcastle, etc just get over you.

A level playing field is about having the same options and opportunities. Like in life. It does not mean that tomorrow you are equal to Bill Gates.

So you are talking about meritocracy, which is something in which most will agree. But let's be clear in that the SL is proposing nothing of the sort.

Let's go deep into your proposal: what would you do with base inequality affecting sports meritocracy? Like for example Real Madrid getting a bigger share of money from their domestic league?

 

[Iker Quesadillas]

How is the competition destroyed, judging by the last results of international tournaments?

Yeah. There's a lot of problems with the PL having so much money but the consequences aren't as straightforward as "PL gets better, everyone else gets worse, PL wins everything."

 

[giorno]

Perhaps English people care more about football than anywhere else in Europe?

I wouldn't say they care more exactly, the culture is just different. German fans arguably care MORE than english fans, and ironically it's one of the main reasons why the bundesliga is in the state that it is

 

[The Purley King]

I wouldn't say they care more exactly, the culture is just different. German fans arguably care MORE than english fans, and ironically it's one of the main reasons why the bundesliga is in the state that it is

Perhaps “care” was the wrong word to use. I’m on my phone now so can’t check easily but I’d be amazed if a team in the 5th tier of German football gets 9,000 fans for every home game.
Culture is probably a better word but it translates into more money, more interest in football in England across the lower leagues.

 

[scottser]

The problem with eufa is that there is no representation from the women's game at senior level, nor is there representation from the fans, or anyone remotely interested in the democratisation of the game. Its all about the lads making money. This new thing is way too much like that old thing to give a rats arse about tbh.

 

[cyberman]

I say split it even between Barca and Madrid while we give, say, 2 percent to English clubs.
Should be fair

 

[giorno]

Perhaps “care” was the wrong word to use. I’m on my phone now so can’t check easily but I’d be amazed if a team in the 5th tier of German football gets 9,000 fans for every home game.
Culture is probably a better word but it translates into more money, more interest in football in England across the lower leagues.

5th tier of german football is amateur afaik, doubt there's many teams with stadiums that big at that level. But yeah, in general german stadiums tend to be full or close to full at most levels. Dusseldorf were doing like 50k in the 2nd division iirc

The english in general have more of a culture of watching sports compared to Italy or Spain. Over here, in general, it's watch your team because of the emotional attachment, watch big games if there's nothing better to do(one of the reasons why since the advent of live football on tv big matches tended to be scheduled for the sunday night slot - dinner time, 20.30/22 Italy/Spain - people have to work on monday so they're home sunday night), otherwise, if we want football, we'd just go out and play football, rather than watch it on tv

 

[The Purley King]

5th tier of german football is amateur afaik, doubt there's many teams with stadiums that big at that level. But yeah, in general german stadiums tend to be full or close to full at most levels. Dusseldorf were doing like 50k in the 2nd division iirc

The english in general have more of a culture of watching sports compared to Italy or Spain. Over here, in general, it's watch your team because of the emotional attachment, watch big games if there's nothing better to do(one of the reasons why since the advent of live football on tv big matches tended to be scheduled for the sunday night slot - dinner time, 20.30/22 Italy/Spain - people have to work on monday so they're home sunday night), otherwise, if we want football, we'd just go out and play football, rather than watch it on tv

I’m not talking about watching it on tv I’m talking about physically going to a game and supporting a team. Spending money on tickets, food, drink etc
It seems that England is way ahead of any other European nation where that is concerned.
3 o clock on a Saturday afternoon is when the games (traditionally) are always played. Thousands of people spend their Saturday afternoons at the footy watching Man Utd or wythenshawe town or any number of other teams.
It’s the reason why 1500 Saturday afternoon kick offs are still not available to watch on the tv in England, to encourage people to go and support the local club.
I think that is the culture that is missing elsewhere, the depth of interest beyond the top league.
In terms of people actually playing I’d be extremely surprised if the percentage of people involved in organised amateur football was higher than in England anywhere in the world, but I don’t know that for sure.

Edit - going a bit off topic here so probably best to leave it at that but happy to discuss on a separate thread

 

[Member 117152]

It helps to protect top level football from becoming a play toy of nation states. God save the King but also Madrid because they are now the only thing that stands for European football not being a badge on some dictators hat.

As far as teams getting money, I don't inderstand. Should Jackel FC get more money result in being of that all the competitions belong to insert country? Competition is not just about money getting down the piramid, it's also about the top. Unless you are G. Neville and then you are ok with gansgters and dictatorships.

Is this a joke? Madrid benefitted as a club more than any other in football history by been owned by an actual dictator.

I’m guessing the “real” reason is because the dictator is supporting the other side / sides now? They had zero problem leaching off government entities before and throwing obscene amounts cash around when nobody else could.

They are the worst in football history for it and started the trend. Period.

Now they aren’t the biggest fish they get arrogant and start wanting to make their own rules.

All comes after they helped destroy their own league I might add taking all the TV rights for years on end. They made their own grave and are just too proud to lay in it.

 

[giorno]

I’m not talking about watching it on tv I’m talking about physically going to a game and supporting a team. Spending money on tickets, food, drink etc
It seems that England is way ahead of any other European nation where that is concerned.

Again, I really don't think England is ahead of Germany in that regard. The big difference between the two is english fans are more willing to get ripped off for it. German football has to keep prices low because otherwise fans riot - there's a lot more involvement at the fan level in Germany to keep football accessible to everyone

In terms of people actually playing I’d be extremely surprised if the percentage of people involved in organised amateur football was higher than in England anywhere in the world, but I don’t know that for sure.

Organised is the key word. Most people here simply don't have the time or will to play organized football. We just meet up with friends or strangers and play, rent a pitch or just go to a park even...

 

[giorno]

Is this a joke? Madrid benefitted as a club more than any other in football history by been owned by an actual dictator.

I’m guessing the “real” reason is because the dictator is supporting the other side / sides now? They had zero problem leaching off government entities before and throwing obscene amounts cash around when nobody else could.

They are the worst in football history for it and started the trend. Period.

Now they aren’t the biggest fish they get arrogant and start wanting to make their own rules.

All comes after they helped destroy their own league I might add taking all the TV rights for years on end. They made their own grave and are just too proud to lay in it.

This is a trainwreck of a post. At least check things up before spouting this nonsense. Owned by a dictator, seriously...

 

[Dannn411]

Dead on arrival without PL clubs. There is a reason the PL attracts by far the highest bids for their TV rights. Its not just because people want to waste money.

 

[Iker Quesadillas]

Is this a joke? Madrid benefitted as a club more than any other in football history by been owned by an actual dictator.

Real Madrid have never been owned by a dictator. Impossible to take any your post seriously after that.

 

[cyberman]

Again, I really don't think England is ahead of Germany in that regard. The big difference between the two is english fans are more willing to get ripped off for it. German football has to keep prices low because otherwise fans riot - there's a lot more involvement at the fan level in Germany to keep football accessible to everyone


Organised is the key word. Most people here simply don't have the time or will to play organized football. We just meet up with friends or strangers and play, rent a pitch or just go to a park even...

You can’t say there’s the same level of enthusiasm if what you say is true. Having a higher attendance right down the league even with higher ticket prices is proof enough. There’s a reason why England can sustain so many pro clubs in their pyramid and it’s not because they like being ripped off.
this post does is give excuses as to why England has a more rabid fanbase to be honest. It’s Why the atmosphere seems to be the standout attribute foreign players talk about when they join our league

 

[giorno]

You can’t say there’s the same level of enthusiasm if what you say is true. Having a higher attendance right down the league even with higher ticket prices is proof enough. There’s a reason why England can sustain so many pro clubs in their pyramid and it’s not because they like being ripped off

Not really, they're more self-centered rather than more rabid i'd say - compared to the germans. See also 30k eintracht fans taking over barcelona and london in succession.

They are absolutely more "rabid" and involved compared to spanish or italian fans - with the exception of the ultras

 

[Shakesy]

There will come a time when global football fans and their broadcasters will have to choose between EPL and ESL.

Battle lines are already being drawn. The war of European football promises to be fiery, because there's a shitload of money to be made.

Oh, and the more Oil States there are in the PL, the more likely the PL will win.

And then there will be the "much-anticipated" EPL 11 v ESL 11.

These fecking changes.

 

[cyberman]

There will come a time when global football fans and their broadcasters will have to choose between EPL and ESL.

Battle lines are already being drawn. The war of European football promises to be fiery, because there's a shitload of money to be made.

Oh, and the more Oil States there are in the PL, the more likely the PL will win.

And then there will be the "much-anticipated" EPL 11 v ESL 11.

These fecking changes.

The EPL without any changes would still win. These teams already play each other in the CL and the CL isn’t being revamped because it’s too popular

 

[Shakesy]

The EPL without any changes would still win. These teams already play each other in the CL and the CL isn’t being revamped because it’s too popular

Yeah, but this is just the start. I fear the ESL will end up replacing most of the leagues in Europe.

That's where things get sticky

 

[GatoLoco]

I think it is relevant; it's not changing the status quo per se; it's taking your football home with you and then salting the erath after you've left.

Interesting point but then we throw it back to you; as Madridistas you don't have shareholders and you have some form of democratic accountability and in terms of income, the PL broadcasting rights are distributed differently to La Liga.
It just looks like you, Barca and Juve want to have your cakes and eat them and then complain all the cakes are gone so you have to create more cakes but you won't stop eating cakes and wanting them, to exist and then destroying everyone else bakeries.

I like the metaphors but is it a cold analysis what you are doing, or just one more passionate but not specially close to reality speech on social media? How can you convince so many clubs to start such a radical change if you are actually doing everything you claim they are and is so evident to everybody?

At the end of the day, if that CEO says they've spoken to almost 50 clubs and most of them agree that the state of European football is critical, what solid elements do you have to convince them of the contrary?

And the most important thing, why are these Superleague guys so insistent? Cannot we accept at least, even if we don't know what will happen at end, that there is something big going on behind the scenes that is determined to force big changes either inside of UEFA or out of it, and more important, that may have the strength to do so?