Only problem there is FFP doesn't actually work.
Ask Manchester City.
Saudi Arabia FA interested in joining UEFA Champions League (Bloomberg)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Ask Manchester City.
Super League Part Deux hotting up. Always going to happen unfortunately
Sit down. Nobody blamed the Israelis.
FFP will in no way be applied here, im not sure why anyone really takes it seriously and the Saudi clubs certainly wouldn't. This is all just foreplay for the Super League and they haven't said this in a vacuum, theyve already sounded out the big clubs if they are saying out it loud. Its naive to think otherwise.
Don’t worry, they’ll drop you soon enough
I don’t think UEFA have much choice in this matter. It all boils down to money really.
There’s a genuine threat of Saudi either becoming or starting a super league. That would be disaster for UEFA.
As it stands, Neymar and Ronaldo are huge losses to the CL product, + all the other big names who have moved. If it continues, the CL product is drastically weakened in terms of attracting revenue and sponsorships. This is bad for UEFA and all the clubs competing as it’ll lower prize money.
It’s pretty similar with Liv and the PGA tour really. It could end up making more sense having them as an ally, than an enemy. UEFA are in a terrible position really.
If letting the Saudi’s in will increase revenue I doubt any of the clubs will have too much objection to it. As with everything, it literally just comes down to money.
There’s a genuine threat of Saudi either becoming or starting a super league. That would be disaster for UEFA.
As it stands, Neymar and Ronaldo are huge losses to the CL product, + all the other big names who have moved. If it continues, the CL product is drastically weakened in terms of attracting revenue and sponsorships. This is bad for UEFA and all the clubs competing as it’ll lower prize money.
It’s pretty similar with Liv and the PGA tour really. It could end up making more sense having them as an ally, than an enemy. UEFA are in a terrible position really.
If letting the Saudi’s in will increase revenue I doubt any of the clubs will have too much objection to it. As with everything, it literally just comes down to money.
If SA have asked to meet Uefa to discuss joining the Champions League it wouldnt be that hard to grasp that one of the options put forward would be to join Uefa as a member and therefore allow access to the Champions League. As someone else has mentioned that its possible to even be invited as a guest. If both of those options were denied it would be hypocrisy simply because they are from the same region and it would seem that Uefa is favouring one over the other.
At some point in history Israel was not part of the original members when Uefa came about and joined later. SA wanting to be a part of the same competition whether that be as a guest or member at this particular time is no different. But I think both of them shouldnt be a part of the Champions League.
I dont know what else to say really as I feel like I'm repeating myself. I'm one post from the end of my limit so I guess we will have to agree to disagree.
Surely can't work considering FFP, those Saudi clubs must be running at a billion in annual losses with the wild fees and salaries they're handing out.
Also if Saudi some how bypasses that's, surely the European big boys would get pissed off and threaten to start their own super league again if UEFA allows it.
Also if Saudi some how bypasses that's, surely the European big boys would get pissed off and threaten to start their own super league again if UEFA allows it.
We all knew this would happen. We're powerless to stop it too. Fecking joke.
One was expelled from its own confederation and didn't have one while the other isn't. You are repeating yourself because for some reason, you are unwilling to understand that both situations are completely different. Israel are members of the UEFA which is why their teams play in the UEFA competitions, Israel are in the UEFA confederation because the AFC expelled Israel in 1974. So it's not a question of favoring one over the other but acknowledging that both context are completely different. If the AFC expel Saudi Arabia and the UEFA refuse to welcome them then you will have a point about favoring one over the other but it's not the current context.
UEFA has been digging their own grave for a while now. FFP was the only real pushback they mustered -and it was trying to protect clubs against themselves more than anything- & Platini (massive crook that he was) the last major official that had a project and a vision a little above maximising the short term returns.
you serious mate? Do you know why Israel is part of UEFA?
Saudi Arabia, or better their murder prince, can just f*** off.
Pushing oil prices up to splash money senseless for football stars. Disgusting country and only existing, because the US have their protecting hand over them.
Pushing oil prices up to splash money senseless for football stars. Disgusting country and only existing, because the US have their protecting hand over them.
If FIFA has got anything to do with it (i’m not sure if they do by the way), they’ll be preventing this as they are trying very much to increase revenues with the FIFA World Club Cup
Alexander Qatarin will bend over for oil money. Maybe if this goes through, people wouldn't see with such bad eyes the super league 
On a related note, why does IsNotReal have clubs in the CL?!
They do insofar the whole thing involve FAs from different confederations.
But well FIFA shifted their main event by a few months to accommodate another very rich country, after everyone promised it would never happen in the official bid.
Someone mentioned guest teams in the Copa A. but I think everyone can understand the dynamic is a little different for clubs and NTs.
I suppose we could entertain the idea of guest spots in the UCL (though where it leaves the Asian CL is another question) but only if the guest clubs can abide by the same financial rules as everyone else. Even playing field and all that.
If UEFA had any sense they'd strengthen FFP and basically curb "financial doping" but I'm not optimistic.
ok, one more time to clear it up:
Israel participates in UEFA tournaments because their neighbours in the ME won't allow them to play in their federation so UEFA said ok Israel you can play with us.
Simple.
The Saudis can play in their federation and therefore have no business in a UEFA competition.
Israel participates in UEFA tournaments because their neighbours in the ME won't allow them to play in their federation so UEFA said ok Israel you can play with us.
Simple.
The Saudis can play in their federation and therefore have no business in a UEFA competition.
way more people with European roots than South American or African.. I do not think that Israeli teams will receive friendly receptions in Africa especially in North African nations like Egypt..
South America makes zero sense for geographic reasons.. If Israel were a Central American country, obviously it would be stupid for her teams to join Euro competitions.
edit: below link talks about the level of boycotts against Israeli teams, players etc..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycotts_of_Israel_in_sports
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Ok so I called this a month ago and was roundly mocked.
With UEFA and FIFA, everything is for sale.
Lads, I don't fecking miss.
Go feck yourself, Prince Cnut.
That is what I think of that stupid idea and the person who brought it up.
That is what I think of that stupid idea and the person who brought it up.
No surprise to anybody. I think it would be the straw that broke the camel's back for me when it comes to supporting football.
This was always going to happen. The idea that the Saudi league would be pension fund for washed up pro's has long left the building.
Close to being done with football, this might tip me over the edge.
The people who administer our game are only concerned with money. Our game has been stolen
I hope they make Newcastle join the Saudi league.
As I wrote earlier this can’t be done unless they quit their federation and join UEFA. Rules are simple. For this to happen you also need to clear some roadblocks like FIFA accepting this and that UEFA committee or excutive board invite them. On permanent or guest basis.
I can’t see this happen so early unless UEFA magicly find some way. Should they try do that, there are on thin ice because ”small” football association would have something to say about that. Especially if this CL spot is automatic without needing to qualify against winners from Albania, Iceland and those countries. Just as example.
My opinon that Saudi League wouldn’t effect Euro football is slowly changing. Not that some players are going there. It is mostly injuried, former stars and last paycheck players. But if the changes are more on higher level it can definitly affect.
Oh you poor soul.
It's been bad and hard to swallow for a long time with Chelski, City and more recently Newcastle. If this news comes to pass and the Saudi's take over football in the same way they have golf, I suspect I will leave following professional football behind. I've been an Arsenal supporter through highs and relative lows and it would be hard to not support them any longer, but it is getting harder and harder to support the EPL and UEFA. I guess many who feel similar will watch and see what form the future takes and what it means for the clubs they support. I fully realize my dropping the sport would have no effect - just as there are plenty of rabid Chelski supporters currently frothing at the mouth in rabid fashion at that club's current shenanigans and a smaller number proclaiming the innocence and greatness of the club with 115 charges, there will continue to be many millions of fans who will be happy to support Saudi-led football as long as they can latch out to a winning side that just buys whatever it wants.
There are precedents of a sort. NZ now has a team in the Australian A league, both men and womens teams. If the money works the powers that be will find a way to make up a great excuse. FIFA have shown just how addicted they are to massive amounts of money thrown in their face.
Don't the Israeli teams play in European competitions?
Neither is crimes against humanity by the way, given that an apartheid state that's actively in the final stage of their ethnic cleansing project of the local occupied population is welcomed with open arms.
Final will be played in Riyadh for sure in next decade. Amazed it hasn't already gone to the states.
Just play off v the 5th place prem team, that would be amusing if it was Chelsea or Newcastle.
Well I did say I didn't want to get too political... But yeah, I don't disagree!