The European Court of Justice (ECJ) this morning ruled that Fifa and Uefa acted illegally in blocking the proposed European Super League (ESL) in 2021. The ESL was a ham-fisted attempted cash grab by a group of ‘elite’ clubs who despite operating in the world’s most lucrative football cartels, wanted more money.
Uefa responded today with a statement saying they updated their rules in 2022 to reflect European law and assert the football pyramid, although they don’t explain how they accommodate the ECJs central point that this is a restriction on trade.
None of that matters now. What happens next may not be the ESL, but you can be sure football is about to change more radically than it has since the introduction of the offside rule. It is inconceivable that this ruling will not lead to the breakup of the national league structures in their present format.
The ESL was opposed by virtually all football fans for one reason only – it subverted the meritocratic principle that football was built on. A group of ‘elites’ would never be relegated and would forever be assured a wealthy financial dividend. This was unnecessarily greedy and betrayed a lack of understanding of what the game is all about. The next proposed iteration may or may not make the same mistake.
US Bank JPMorgan Chase were to be the source of ESL funding. Such funders now seem twee. Since then, LIV Golf, the Saudi Pro League and the pending award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia (they are the only bidder) has seen a wealthier-still actor invest in the sport.
What does any of this mean for you and me? On Saturday, Liv Football means 10 men behind the ball for 90 minutes, as Livingston try to resist Celtic’s attempt to win the league and compete again in the Champions League. The domestic environment feels like a sub-par preparation for the European objective.
In European football, meritocracy only really exist in the abstract sense that teams from Budapest, Vienna, Prague or Glasgow can theoretically compete at any level. In practice, a series of national cartels exist to deny competitors access to lucrative TV markets. In the UK, it is not even a national cartel, we have a dominant England and Wales regional cartel that denies access to competition from clubs in Scotland.
You and me? We are enjoying an unprecedented period (generations) of domination in Scottish football and the breakup of national cartels threatens this. So potentially fewer wins against Livi. But can you think of any club in the world with more potential upsides from the breakup of the national cartels?
The game we know was shaped more by the son of a French grocer who never played, than Pele, Cruyff or Messi. He was an administrator with a plan, they named the World Cup trophy after him. Oh for an administrator with Jules Rimet’s vision now.
198 Comments- Pages:
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CHAIRBHOY on 22ND DECEMBER 2023 11:06 AM
“Yet it is no big deal. We always knew Chris wasn’t coming with Brendan this time around.”
We might have known that but we can’t know how big a deal that potentially is as I think BR’s achievements were always with CD (and others) at his side. We are in new territory and whatever is going on inside CP we are seeing a team seemingly lacking in motivation, tempo and commitment at times. You often see successful teams go through spells where they coast and often only start after going a goal down / if the game gets near the end and its still level – lack of hunger is often a reason to freshen up even a winning team after all. This feels different to that.
BURNLEY78 on 22ND DECEMBER 2023 11:09 AM
“Thanks for taking the time to articulate the point re Chris D.
Some folk just kinda want to see negatives.”
Indeed. Kinda thought not bringing CD back with BR and retaining the cheap options in place might have been manna to such posters who can blame the board for that too and even throw in the old nepotism argument against Strachan Jnr at the same time.
I’m still hoping BR and the team come good, starting this w/e. After the last few 8 hour expeditions to watch recent games and the poisonous atmosphere at the last game I might have been minded to pass on this game given how busy things are atm but my son is adamant he wants to be there to support the team so I have no choice!
If we can’t beat / out work a bottom of the league team who had a mid week game then we have more serious issues than the board/management team.
I only hope, given that confidence will be low in the group, that the team get positive backing throughout the 90mins. It was depressing to hear some of the abuse at the last game directed at our own (players).
QB
B78 – I am beneath you according to you so best not converse with me.
D. :)
QUADBHOY @ 11:31 AM,
Well, most reasonable fholk can agree with that.
The issue is what we should do about it!?
Obviously, if BR’s backroom staff aren’t up to it, we need a refresh.
Many have been at the Club a long time, you can say they were part of the serial treble winners, yet…
“…whatever is going on inside CP we are seeing a team seemingly lacking in motivation, tempo and commitment at times.
Which was exactly the issue with Lenny MkII.
Brendan Rodgers was brought in to deliver in Europe, or so he tells us.
So, he must be backed, players, coaches, analysts
Whatever it takes for us to improve next year needs to be done.
Hail Hail
not to worry we always have JK who has been their forever and seems to be rated highly by others.
To anyone else but B78 anyone of us could do better but certainly no worse.
This board is full of cheats and Liars hence corruption.
The 5 way agreement should have ended Lawwell and his cronies.
His son is not qualified for the position he holds. More corruption.
Banning our own fans should never be allowed.
Failure to invest in our team over the years to reach CL or knockout is negligence.
Interfering in 1st team recruitment is gross misconduct.
Not sticking up for our fans and players, especially our players who are refereed differently is negligent and gross misconduct he (Lawwell) and our board should be calling out VAR , Dulles junior, Beaton, Walsh and every single referee and decision.
Not calling out about second penalty every flecking game is gross misconduct astheyare not doing their best for our club or supporters.
I could go on and on and on.
D. :)
Sevco not second.
D. :)
David 66
You do go on and on about it.
All opinion and all of it, where true, could be justified. None of it is corrupt though.
If you could do it better then why not do it ?
new article posted.