[Albion] Who will lead the EPL fightback against the Super League?

[Stat Brother]

Why fight it?


It's a monumentally stupid idea.

Let them go, insist they go, maintain the banning from international football.



Then when they come running back to the fold, at the 11th hour, screw them with a heavily punitive deal were it to be mentioned again.

"Sign this soppy bollox or you're lumbered with your own shitehouse Super League clusterf**k"



You can't play a game of brinkmanship if the other side doesn't care.

 

[Ratso2005]

Gartside I suspect from Bolton, he will lead the "why aren't we involved protest" as he didn't want relegation from the Premier League a while back

He probably would if he hadn't died in 2016.

 

[Driver8]

I’m not sure. PL without those six would be such a bad thing. It would be much less predictable and be like a better version of the championship. There are plenty of big European clubs not involved too so who wouldn’t want to see us potentially qualify for a European competition and play away at somewhere like Ajax or Atletico Madrid.

 

[martin tyler]

Why fight it?


It's a monumentally stupid idea.

Let them go, insist they go, maintain the banning from international football.



Then when they come running back to the fold, at the 11th hour, screw them with a heavily punitive deal were it to be mentioned again.

"Sign this soppy bollox or you're lumbered with your own shitehouse Super League clusterf**k"



You can't play a game of brinkmanship if the other side doesn't care.

Works to a point but even then I think the worldwide fan bases these clubs have won’t actually be massively affected over all. Yes they may alienate the locals but the Glazers will be just has happy with the stadium full of people from abroad, Man City may even do package deals via Ethiad. The super league will be watched more outside of Europe than in it.
Ref international your relying on morals of footballers at that point. 80k a week and some international football or £500k a week and you have the summers off. Most will eventually follow the money.

 

[mikeyjh]

It'll be interesting to see which high profile players and managers step up to condemn this. I'm sure they're not all morally corrupt, money grabbing monsters. Ordinary people up and down the country are having their game stolen away from them, at a time when they are quite literally gagged and unable to protest publicly (another cynical move). We need strong, influential spokespeople to fight on our behalf.

The problem is that horse bolted a long time ago - One thing is for absolutely sure, Paul Barber is not the man who is going to fight for the game to be 'returned to the people'.

 

[Brovion]

A midweek super league will mean having to force through a smaller EPL to accommodate less room for domestic games. FA and FL cup competitions will have to be downgraded. If the 14 remaining EPL clubs don’t 100% unite against that AND FORCIBLY it’ll be a case of turkeys voting for Christmas.
They need to unite behind a proposal to banish the self-named Big Six from all domestic football.

Given that many on here think that the Cups are a distraction from the league I'm sure they'll take the downgrading, or even scrapping, of those competitions as a welcome side-effect.

 

[amexer]

I think he's shown he has balls, plenty of times

It can't always be up to him to effect change.

I agree but point I am making is it needs some big names managers and players from these clubs to speak up I am pleased Alex Fergerson has

 

[Seasider78]

The problem is that horse bolted a long time ago - One thing is for absolutely sure, Paul Barber is not the man who is going to fight for the game to be 'returned to the people'.

The club will voice an opinion on it but probably after the PL have had theirs as we do things professionally.

The voice of anyone at the Albion is not going to influence this only the collective voice and actions of fans, players and managers and actual sanctions being imposed for this move will stop this.

 

[martin tyler]

A senior chief executive has stated that the other 14 will move to have them removed from the PL and it is believed these 6 teams will carry on regardless.

 

[Originunknown]

I’m not sure. PL without those six would be such a bad thing. It would be much less predictable and be like a better version of the championship. There are plenty of big European clubs not involved too so who wouldn’t want to see us potentially qualify for a European competition and play away at somewhere like Ajax or Atletico Madrid.

Atletico are one of the clubs who have already agreed to join this proposed ESL but agree with your points. We could see our super seagulls in Europe, or what's left of it.

 

[vagabond]

One things for sure, we’re lucky to have a gutsy CEO and owner (an actual fan) who will fight our corner and have our best interests at heart.

 

[amexer]

One things for sure, we’re lucky to have a gutsy CEO and owner (an actual fan) who will fight our corner and have our best interests at heart.

No principles in football. Have not heard a word from any of Managers of the clubs involved.. Whatever Paul Barber says he would be off like a shot if offered CE job of new league

 

[Springal]

No principles in football. Have not heard a word from any of Managers of the clubs involved.. Whatever Paul Barber says he would be off like a shot if offered CE job of new league

Jose sacked in the week of a cup final. Has he refused to back it ?

 

[vagabond]

No principles in football. Have not heard a word from any of Managers of the clubs involved.. Whatever Paul Barber says he would be off like a shot if offered CE job of new league

I disagree with you on Paul Barber. But Tony unquestionably has principles and our best interests at heart

He’s a fan. He’s one of us.

Hence why we’re so lucky.

 

[father_and_son]

Just don't see why there should be a fight.

UEFA withdraw registrations for clubs and players involved.

EPL forced to kick the pirate 6 out of the league.

FIFA make some statement about not supporting it (but UEFA the only ones put out so FIFA back down and sanction the league and allow a delegate from them to bring a suitably large donation for a seat at the table). FIFA withdraw statement and allow players into international competition.


ESL forms as breakaway league, clubs in it barred from all European tournaments (including domestic leagues) but not FIFA tournaments. Win.

EPL allows 6 championship clubs to come up, EFL looks to rebalance leagues to 20 clubs each with appropriate numbers of promotions and no relegations.

EPL a more competitive league. Closer parity in terms of skill and finances with championship. Win.

Promotion from championship no longer a win-at-all-costs ticket to the gravy train so clubs stop over extending. Win.

PL/EFL add a MASSIVE premium to players sold to the ESL, (Lamptey goes to Arsenal for £200m), ensuring windfall from ESL filters down. Win.

Players in ESL still compete in FIFA events (World Cup) courtesy of large donation, ESL seat at the table and the only football federation giving a toss being UEFA. Win.

CL and Europa merge to form a competitive European competition. Ban from domestic leagues mean there are no takers for "invitational" places in ESL ensuring popularity of new CL. Win.

Whole things eats itself within a decade and big 6 forced to join non-league football to work their way back up. 6 clubs fighting for 3 promotions a season ensure it wipes out their squads and competitive advantage as they hemorrhage their warchests on a 12 year mission back to EPL. Win.


I genuinely can't see a downside. This gets my vote every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Win-win-win-win-etc scenario.

 

[Washie]

Just don't see why there should be a fight.

UEFA withdraw registrations for clubs and players involved.

EPL forced to kick the pirate 6 out of the league.

FIFA make some statement about not supporting it (but UEFA the only ones put out so FIFA back down and sanction the league and allow a delegate from them to bring a suitably large donation for a seat at the table). FIFA withdraw statement and allow players into international competition.


ESL forms as breakaway league, clubs in it barred from all European tournaments (including domestic leagues) but not FIFA tournaments. Win.

EPL allows 6 championship clubs to come up, EFL looks to rebalance leagues to 20 clubs each with appropriate numbers of promotions and no relegations.

EPL a more competitive league. Closer parity in terms of skill and finances with championship. Win.

Promotion from championship no longer a win-at-all-costs ticket to the gravy train so clubs stop over extending. Win.

PL/EFL add a MASSIVE premium to players sold to the ESL, (Lamptey goes to Arsenal for £200m), ensuring windfall from ESL filters down. Win.

Players in ESL still compete in FIFA events (World Cup) courtesy of large donation, ESL seat at the table and the only football federation giving a toss being UEFA. Win.

CL and Europa merge to form a competitive European competition. Ban from domestic leagues mean there are no takers for "invitational" places in ESL ensuring popularity of new CL. Win.

Whole things eats itself within a decade and big 6 forced to join non-league football to work their way back up. 6 clubs fighting for 3 promotions a season ensure it wipes out their squads and competitive advantage as they hemorrhage their warchests on a 12 year mission back to EPL. Win.


I genuinely can't see a downside. This gets my vote every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Win-win-win-win-etc scenario.

The biggest issue is the money all the way down the footballing pyramid. Premier league income will go down to championship levels, meaning we would need to sell most of our squad. But nearly all of the clubs will be trying to do the same. A lot of will go bust because of this.

 

[father_and_son]

The biggest issue is the money all the way down the footballing pyramid. Premier league income will go down to championship levels, meaning we would need to sell most of our squad. But nearly all of the clubs will be trying to do the same. A lot of will go bust because of this.

Why would it drop to Championship levels??

PL would still be the premium footballing product from the UK, so domestically still the main draw for Sky/BT subscriptions and internationally would only drop to second place - less money but not "go bust" low.

Yes, there would be a drop in income from TV and sponsorship. However, clubs selling in to the ESL will screw them for a LOT of additional cash (just as the EFL do to PL sides).

The doom & gloom is pretty much unfounded here. There will be some readjustment required but it won't be anything like a "drop to championship levels". And the inflated transfer fees for transfers into the PL would drop, softening the blow still further.


The ESL will become the World Super League very quickly with Shanghai and LA Galaxy (or similar) clubs joining to make up numbers.

The PL will still be a massive draw for worldwide TV audiences and the by far the biggest draw for domestic audiences. Plus, the 'new' CL would bring additional income to the top clubs remaining in the domestic leagues. Winning the new PL, even with its reduced income, isn't going to be that different financially to coming 7th in the old PL imho. And a more competitive league means a greater chance of [MENTION=41606]Teamslike[/MENTION]Brighton (well, those above us anyway) being among the benefactors of the new PL results and entry to the new CL.

Added to which, the PL being closer to the EFL, financially, would stop clubs over-extending so much will would do more for long term stability at clubs than this does damage.

Ultimately, the same amount of money would still flow around in global football - this doesn't make new fans, just changes what they consume. Instead of the PL being the top attraction (with the highest income and outgoings), it becomes the second rated attraction with slightly less income (and the other european leagues all drop down one place in their global standing).

This is the perfect chance to correct a lot that is wrong with football at the moment and I stand by my Win-Win-Win-Win description.

 

[Washie]

Why would it drop to Championship levels??

PL would still be the premium footballing product from the UK, so domestically still the main draw for Sky/BT subscriptions and internationally would only drop to second place - less money but not "go bust" low.

Yes, there would be a drop in income from TV and sponsorship. However, clubs selling in to the ESL will screw them for a LOT of additional cash (just as the EFL do to PL sides).

The doom & gloom is pretty much unfounded here. There will be some readjustment required but it won't be anything like a "drop to championship levels". And the inflated transfer fees for transfers into the PL would drop, softening the blow still further.


The ESL will become the World Super League very quickly with Shanghai and LA Galaxy (or similar) clubs joining to make up numbers.

The PL will still be a massive draw for worldwide TV audiences and the by far the biggest draw for domestic audiences. Plus, the 'new' CL would bring additional income to the top clubs remaining in the domestic leagues. Winning the new PL, even with its reduced income, isn't going to be that different financially to coming 7th in the old PL imho. And a more competitive league means a greater chance of [MENTION=41606]Teamslike[/MENTION]Brighton (well, those above us anyway) being among the benefactors of the new PL results and entry to the new CL.

Added to which, the PL being closer to the EFL, financially, would stop clubs over-extending so much will would do more for long term stability at clubs than this does damage.

Ultimately, the same amount of money would still flow around in global football - this doesn't make new fans, just changes what they consume. Instead of the PL being the top attraction (with the highest income and outgoings), it becomes the second rated attraction with slightly less income (and the other european leagues all drop down one place in their global standing).

This is the perfect chance to correct a lot that is wrong with football at the moment and I stand by my Win-Win-Win-Win description.

But if FIFA do hold their threat of players playing in ESL not playing internationally, or not being registered by FIFA, would we be able to sell to those clubs?

 

[Hamilton]

I do understand your point. However, if one wants to be seen as a leader (and I’m referring to the club generally rather than any one individual) one needs to, errr, lead.

Various national and European authorities have already issued statements, as have influential individual figures in the game. Hell, even BJ has. If we don’t release something today, we’ll be a follower, not a leader, imo. This would be a shame, given the leadership (whether one agrees with the specific stances taken or not) the club has shown on such varied issues as community engagement, racism, online abuse, women’s & disabled football etc...

Come on, Albion, this is an existential threat to the fabric of the whole game; please step up to the plate and take a swing.

As a community club, we should. If we believe football is there to represent and enrich communities then this franchise undermines all that.

 

[blue-shifted]

But if FIFA do hold their threat of players playing in ESL not playing internationally, or not being registered by FIFA, would we be able to sell to those clubs?

If they do, then the idea is surely gone