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.
Get Downfall here on Kindle or Heart of a Lion below:
[calameo code=000390171b241bb2703f4 lang=en page=132 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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Well isnt football a wonderfull game that keeps us entertained for hours I read on CQN again this morning that The Rangers will go bust I say to that, keep on enjoying your dream as it is only a dream and will not happen.I also read we are to step up our interest in Kevin Doyle and he is valued at 3 million who is kidding who here ? once again the MSM having a punt on a transfer. I like the way Celtic are conducting there business at the moment keeping quiet until a deal is done and the MSM dont like it so as usual they resort to making things up like 3 Million for Kevin Doyle I would not be surprised if Neil wanted to sign him but no way will we part with 3 million for him.H.H.
Some more vintage Celtic here:
Pathe News – Celtic
Italian news ——
” They are still ahead of us but we are improving ”
Prandelli , Manager of Italy . After Italy /Spain 28 / 6 /2013 .
” Only a group of bureaucrats sitting in an air conditioned office could think that playing football in 30 degree heat and 90 % humidity was a good idea..”
Sicilian radio pundit [ speaking after Italy / Spain .]
” I will not be having a face to face with Cavani . There is no need . He is for sale . He can be bought for 63 million euros ,where he goes is up to him . He can stay here if he wants “.
Aurelio De Laurentiis , owner of Napoli , speaking on Napoli FC’s Radio Station.
summa of sammi….
10:08 on 28 June, 2013
.
Anthony Stokes @stoksey10
Wore these yesterday in training for the first time, don’t normally like blue boots but these are sexy! pic.twitter.com/ut3DmjrZpG
12:33 AM – 28 Jun 2013
Summa
*********
Should improve his scoring rate, then!
Neil Doncaster and David Longmuir are vying to become chief executive of the newly created Scottish Professional Football League.
Dear oh dear – is that the best we can do? Dodgy or Dodgier?
The Spirit of Arthur Lee
10:22 on 28 June, 2013
TWITCHERS spent two awesome hours watching a rare bird in flight — before it crashed into the blades of a wind turbine and dropped “stone dead”
_________________________________________________
That is a shocker. The ole Irish hero (MP) would no doubt have a few things to say about a lot of things, especially when it comes to ornothology. I’m glad my Dad doesn’t have a clue about computers and continues to read newspapers.
He is sheltered from these Revelations.
starry plough @ 10 18 .
Yes —— It is dire .
I’m filling my boots [ and diminishing my bank balance ] with the endless stream of 7 ” facsimile represses of goodies I didn’t get at the time and then couldn’t / afford at auction . Not the same as having an original but needs must .[ typically £ 7.99 / £ 9.99 / £ 19.99 a pop
Monty & The Cyclones——Summertime —-way down south
B.T if you are about click on STAR MO at 10.23 scroll down to CETIC 3-0 V MOTHERWELL.i was there that night BIG YOGI scored a cracker chalked off for off-side.he takes the ball round the defender and shoots home .MIB at their best.ps DA gets 3 good mentions.wee greet time.
Ghuys
Reading this morning that Tesco are considering extending a commercial tie up already trialed in an Eastern European market with Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct.
The relationship would consist of Sports Diret taking mezzanine floor space in a number of Tesco’s larger superstores.
Looks like ASDA getting a lot more business from this bhoy!
HH
I believe the new Oranjebuus has a shredder, cleverly disguised as a pasta maker.
SOAL- rare bird was white throated needle tail, fastest bird in the world in level flight [ ~105 mph].
Usually native of Asia, relative of the swift.
THe harmless creature is yet another victim of Alex Salmond, the Heartless of Midlothian.
Bus Latest
https://twitter.com/kevybhoy1967/status/350548909136949248/photo/1
Glendalystonsils likes a mr whippy with his lime green jelly
10:39 on 28 June, 2013
:)
https://twitter.com/kevybhoy1967/status/350548909136949248/photo/1
Glass two thirds
Ah, but which one is on the skwerr?
EDB
Solidarity, love and prayers headed in your direction today.
Vinny
Gordon J
How’s the meisterwork coming?
Favourite Uncle.
I’ll gave a wee look, ,cheers
South Of Tunis
10:25 on 28 June, 2013
Italian news ——
” They are still ahead of us but we are improving ”
Prandelli , Manager of Italy . After Italy /Spain 28 / 6 /2013 .
” Only a group of bureaucrats sitting in an air conditioned office could think that playing football in 30 degree heat and 90 % humidity was a good idea..”
Sicilian radio pundit [ speaking after Italy / Spain .]
” I will not be having a face to face with Cavani . There is no need . He is for sale . He can be bought for 63 million euros ,where he goes is up to him . He can stay here if he wants “.
Aurelio De Laurentiis , owner of Napoli , speaking on Napoli FC’s Radio Station.
_____________________________________________________________
I really respect Italian football, the Itallians guys Love it. Put it this way, they are always amongst the favourites no matter how good they are.
They have certain mentality that doesn’t seem to be fractured at all, at awe?
Juventus stopped the London Calling but IMHO, only because of the Game Manager, the referee, The Exiled Tim is not wrong here, or there.
Management of the Crisis is the real order of the day.
People try to blame everyone and Anything when things go wrong. The Bottom line is, and this is not just opinion, Man is at fault.
You can never perfect a Man, no matter what the the transhumanist and posthumanists say, Eden?
Humanism – don’t get me started. ;))
Societalmanipulationandthesubsequentexternalisationofthehierachy.CSC :)
Glass two thirds full,
If its a choice between the two ,its got to be Doncaster, …. The lesser of two evils, IMO
Lilys grandpa
Morning all. Dreich down here.
Hope everyone is in good spirits. Let’s hope Longmuir goes the way of the SFL.
SoT,
Re: Pirlo. He never seems to break sweat, but look at the CL stats for ground covered (average per game). I remember checking it up last year and he was top of the list when we played them. Strange but true.
And guess who covered the most ground for us at that particular point in time? Not Vic, not Broonie, not Emilio…
…Charlie Mulgrew
Blindlemonchitlin,
The final draft is with my editor at the moment – hopefully have it all finalised and ready to go to the printers over the next couple of months.
Thinking of starting my own version of the FF banned list.
Most Scottish coach companies will already be on it,along with Tesco after their Sports Direct announcement.
And this lot join that exclusive company on the BMCUWP not-FF list…
http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/business/company-news/greene-king-boss-hopes-for-rangers-return.21471576
A Stor Ma Chroi, and all the other History Bhoys
Gordon
Hope it works out for you.
As an exercise in concise expression, can you set out the theme and aims of the book in 140 characters or less, like as if tweeting, although not while flying into a big windmill thing?
Dubaibhoy-”If I signed off the accounts it has been in good faith.” 10:58
Pirlo. He never seems to break sweat,
He did last night!
henr1k
From no to new club please read click link and print off. Cheers.
Letter to the Scottish Football Association
Below is the text of a letter I will be sending to the Scottish Football………………………………………
*******************************************************
Letter sent to Regan
Hx2
Dubaibhoy @ 10 58 .
Heard Pirlo on the radio this morning . .
He said that last night’s game was the most tiring he’s played in 18 years as a professional footballer .
He said he struggled to breathe in those conditions . He said his head hurt , he said he was dizzy , he said he spent extra time thinking he was going to vomit.. He berated FIFA for not caring about footballers..
lilys grandpa 10:52 on 28 June, 2013
If its a choice between the two ,its got to be Doncaster, …. The lesser of two evils, IMO
Maybe just about. But I have real issues with him too. The way he brought in a new TV deal with Sky requiring four “Old Firm” games (even though the existing deal still had three years left to run), apparently AFTER (according to CW at least) he had been told that Rangers were going to go bust. I believe this was his way of attempting to get new Rangers into the SPL.
Sorry if this has been posted..how can the sevco tramps be allowed into a new league format when they havent produced any audited accounts?or were the rules changed while they were invited in with a full new membership?feknconfused as fek
Blindlemonchitlin,
Summing up a 97,000 word book in 140 characters isn’t easy. How’s this?
Calling Cards: “A Glasgow psychological thriller. A journalist investigates a suicide, finding a series of murders. The Council Leader is being blackmailed. Are the two connected?”
The promotional video for the new Sevco bus.
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=po2Wczp5dC4&list=PLB88B5C9B017D1697&index=24
HH!!
Book Club ——
Karl Marx -A Nineteenth Century Life -[ Jonathan Sperber ].
Excellent . A new look at the life and the ideas of the ole womanizing , scrounging, carbuncled curmudgeon…
Highly recommended.
gordon_j backing neil lennon
11:19 on 28 June, 2013
“Local team manager kills and cooks his prey in a Steak Bake.will our hero Ogilvie be able to stop him or be the next victim.”
gordon_j backing neil lennon
11:19 on 28 June, 2013
My novel is called Hunabill.
SOUTH OF TUNIS
The way you describe him,he sounds like the dad of the hun who went to Newcastle….
Try again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po2Wczp5dC4&list=PLB88B5C9B017D1697&index=24
HH!!