It was only in February this year that the proposed Russia-Ukraine joint league first reached the stage of formal meetings between clubs to discuss the viability but tonight a showcase tournament between top clubs from each country gets underway tonight. It is hoped the formal joint league will start this time next year when the top nine teams from each country will form the Unified First League.
Despite discouragement from Fifa, Uefa have insisted only that proper procedures are followed to give their ascent to the league. Gazprom, the Russian energy giant and Uefa Champions League sponsor, has underwritten the project with a commitment of 1 billion euros per annum.
As we know, in football, money talks, and the Russian and Ukrainian clubs, together with their national associations and Uefa, have been talked happy to make change possible.
In order to become competitive with their rivals in the west while meeting Uefa Financial Fair Play rules, Russian and Ukrainian clubs need to increase income, which the Unified First League would go a long way towards. Uefa president, Michel Platini, has long accepted that regionalisation was a viable way forward for domestic leagues, while former powers in smaller leagues have become disenfranchised from the game’s top table.
What does it mean for us?
Well, we don’t have a Gazprom, not yet, anyway, but once Gazprom’s financial and political muscle establishes the principle of regionalisation, that principle is available to all. Former Yugoslavia countries are already in talks, while Scandinavian countries have already had a few abortive attempts at (underfunded) regional cup competitions.
The British region.
Welsh football has managed to retain its national identity, provide an infrastructure for provincial and community clubs, while federating with the FA in England to allow their larger (sic) clubs to find their competitive level.
The model is already established for Scottish football, which has realised living with one (or two for that matter) massive club which completely invalidates their league competition as a ‘competition’ is no longer the best way to order their affairs.
Financial recklessness caused the collapse of one club a year ago while the recklessness of a Lithuanian bank has put another in jeopardy. A handful of other top-flight clubs now realise their financial commitments, not to mention sporting objectives, are no longer viable, with or without the crumbs from the table thrown in their direction when TV cameras and a few thousand fans arrive a few times per season.
Federate with England, just as the Welsh did. It will bring ‘competition’ back to our competitions, put thousands of everyone’s gates and provide access to viable commercial contracts.
Why are our leagues and Association not speaking to the English about this right now? The Football League in England is every bit as much a basket case as Scottish football right now, they also need to change the structural model and, unlike the equally lunatic (English) Premier League, appear to be self-aware in this respect.
Go talk to the Welsh FA, Cardiff City, Swansea, Wrexham or New Saints FC (!) and ask them what organising their game along the lines of the Scottish model would do to them.
Scottish football must federate or it will die. As such, if we stand on the precipice of crisis, let’s make it a good one. It’s the only thing which will get things moving.
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I need a Celtic game soon…
Right movie time, night all hail hail
Brilliant ….. Well done both teams, but delighted Spain are through….. Quality penalties ……did you notice one common factor….EVERY player started his run from the 18 yard line …. I ALWAYS cringe when players take short run-ups …. Not sure why, but more penalties are missed with short run-ups….you just watch….LOL
HH
Spain , bring Jesus to the box.. Of course he ll score
roy croppie
22:55 on 27 June, 2013
So do I …… LOL
unew mike
Normally Jesus saves and Sammi (or insert name of choice) – nets the rebound! :-)
bournesouprecipe
22:50 on 27 June, 2013
Has Bonucci’s penalty landed yet?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
hahahahahahaha…..brilliant
.
Lennybhoy…Supporting Neil Lennon and CFC until I die
22:36 on
27 June, 2013
Summa of Sammi….22:26:
It wasn’t me that asked the question it was suttons volley, I was answering it…:)
Summa of ShiehdtWas5MillionCSC
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
..
Ha..
Realised that After l posted..;-(
That’s the Thing with WeeFras Invisibility Cloak..You can Never find it when Your Looking for it..
Summa of BringBackDustyBinCSC
500???
Right…Hawai 5 O….. Then dreamland ….LOL
Leaving at 5.30 a.m. tomorrow for Lourdes. I will light a candle and say a prayer for all CQNers , especially those who have asked for prayers on here in the last year. My thoughts at the Grotto will be especially with those who have suffered the loss of dear ones recently and for all who are suffering from serious illness. Off to bed.
Hard to imagine how the Spanish National team keeps producing wins – these guys must be the absolute epitome of professional footballers. They have hardly had a break since 2008, winning everything along the way. The Barca and Madrid players contest every trophy going from La Liga through the national cup and European CL and on to all of the international events. We have guys ready to return for training after the summer break while these guys haven’t stopped – Euros, Confederation Cup, World Cup, Euros, confederations cup, World Cup etc, etc.
Unbelievable.
And England still think they are a powerhouse?
From Our Roving CQN Weather Reporter,Jobo Baldie….
“A Deep Depression Now Settling Over The Isle Of SofaTunis ….”
Still….Laughin’
Minis have made John Sutton redundant (cause he wouldn’t take wage cut) – wonder where he will pitch-up next?
Think his big Bro might be advising him – if MSM start rumours!
bournesouprecipe
22:50 on 27 June, 2013
Has Bonucci’s penalty landed yet?
seem to remember that joke about Dixie deans – cartoon the next day in the record had the apollo astronauts seeing the ball fly past their window – you can fill in the rest yourself
.
praecepta
22:57 on
27 June, 2013
unew mike
Normally Jesus saves and Sammi (or insert name of choice) – nets the rebound! :-)
..
A Couple of Seasons ago l Thought Sammi’s First name had been Changed to Jesus..
Every time he Lost the Ball..Half the Stadium would Cry..Jeeezuss Samaras..!!!!
Summa of TheProphetSamarasCSC
Headtheball
“These keepers are rubbish” Thats what mrs j said.
That was one of the best 0-0 games I have seen for a long time.
Both managers out tacticking each other.
had more than a few frrebie vinos tonight, so the friendly local garda drove me home, they even drove my motor home for me.
Pure quality.
HH
googybhoy ♥ celtic
22:46 on 27 June, 2013
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=uP1sGAgIBB4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuP1sGAgIBB4
For the Bhoys far away
———————————–
Since we are on Franke Bhoy.
For the Italian team and expat CQNers
It’s a Long Way Home
http://youtu.be/q51etUZmH3o
charles kickham
12 or so years ago – at a ‘smokers night quiz’ in the Kerrydale Suite. Dixie was at our table – questions on European games (we play our ‘joker’ for double points).
Question comes up about the infamous pen miss and while we are thinking about the answer my B-in-law says: “wee Mhan you should remember that one!”
Quick as flash Dixie says: “I – but I scored a hat-trick on the Saturday.”
Great night – brilliant company!
Connaire12
Thanks for remembering us in that special, holy place. Hope the floods have subsided there.
Night all. H H
We could be doing with hearing a wee word from Miki67.
Hope you are in good spirits Miki.
Philvis, we could be doing with hearing from you too.
Thanks for all your kind messages and promises of support.I know many will have read and responded as asked without posting messages so thanks to you all too. Your good wishes and your prayers will give both Ghirls a big lift .
Hail Hail
Any news on the Dallas Cowboys link-up yet? Stadium renaming? Invite to La Liga? Nada? OK, off to bed, can only be a matter of time.
TET
Enjoyed the game – at times it was a tactical masterclass.
Wasn’t far off with my post to you last night – took pens to separate them.
On that display would fancy either of them to take Brazil (depending on referee).
:-)
Agreed Celtic First, when Miki first posted we all said He’d never walk alone, we need him back on here or does anyone at all know him personally and could they let us know how he is doing.
A wee question that I am stumped with.
Are we handing over a million quid to other clubs ?
If we are, where can I find this info ?
I said that we were, and have been challenged on it, and can’t find anything about it.
I am sure I read it on here…..please help
HH
TET
Same thing happens here aw the time…..tho they don’t take ye hame…!
Hope you and the Mrs are well..
Kikinthenakas
Allez LeCoist
pictured on the new Sevco Bus
Echoing the calls for Miki67! Haste ye back! Missing your poetic prose and banter. I remember you expressed a love of things Greek having lived there for some time, and liked this wee trad number.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_WEjAnslGc
——
Is it fair to say international games have fewer decisions resting on mibbery and honest mistakes than club football does? Funny that…
[holds in head in hands and shakes it sadly]
praecepta
I was very surprised at the Spanish standing off, they gave the Italians all the ball they wanted, I suppose the humidity had a lot to do with it, cos even the commentators were talking about it, the temps weren’t thah high, but, the sweat pisses oot of ye.
Crackin game.
Aye you were right, and I reckon they will take Brasil.
HH
bournesouprecipe – Feck, I was just polishing off my wine when I saw that pic. Screen now splattered.
kikinthenakas
The garda that took me home is a big Barca fan, a really good bloke, who thinks Celtic are an awesome club.
Life in the sticks has it’s advantages >}
Both good thanks, struggling with my diet thing, but losing some of the excess, 5 kilos in less than 3 weeks, some ways to go, but come the euro games in a month or two, should be fighting fit, aye in my dreams >}
HH
TET
In theory NO – we have agreed to a reduction of prize money allocated to winners of the SPL (likewise runners-up). In effect that money percolates down to teams finishing lower in SPL and into SFL1 where overall prize money increases.
Think it will affect us by circa £900K less cash winnings as SPL Champions 2013-14.
Tet.
You have the life of riley… A hun free valley and the police drive you home from a session.
You my friend have a blessed life.HH
BSR,
That does indeed seem to be Moisty.
This time next year he’ll be in the foetal position.
BSR
Hope nobody decides to change a tyre on the old no.23 tomorrow – otherwise tonight’s beef stroganoff will be pebble-dashing the gutter.
Yuck!