Fascinating headline in The Sun today, proclaiming England’s five wealthiest clubs are “in talks to leave Champions League”, completely missing the irony that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have been planning to do without Champions League football all season.
Directors of those clubs, Arsenal and Manchester City, met in London to discuss the possibility of binning the Champions League in favour of a competition where Europe’s wealthiest were invited to participate, without the need to qualify. The meeting was attended by US sports entrepreneur, Stephen Ross.
There are a few points worth making:
The clubs leaked this story to The Sun. The intention is not to plot a breakaway, but to be seen to be plotting.
Breakaways have been threatened in football since the 1970s US ‘soccer’ league wanted to acquire top European players without paying transfer fees. They have never happened. Only change based on approval has ever been possible.
European law would stop such a breakaway in its tracks. The European Union allows football to operate various cartels under terms known as the Specificity of Sport. The game is already testing the boundaries of these provisions (which may be worth testing in court), but any move to like this would have no chance of succeeding.
Change
Change of some sort is inevitable, there is just too much money to be made for it not to happen. The risk is that the wealthy clubs put enough money on the table (or in brown envelopes) to get their own way.
Clubs in Europe will not allow their competitiveness in relation to clubs in England diminish.
Clubs in England will not perpetually allow their premium games against Barcelona et al to generate less revenue than games against Norwich City.
Top clubs in England have already tired of sharing around £1billion a year with smaller clubs who contribute little to the pot.
I know people are alarmed by this but as one of the already disenfranchised, we have little to lose. The status quo is squeezing the life out of our game. We need change. Most of all someone to put the money on the table required to create a meritocratic European weekend league – like Gazprom did with Russia and Ukraine.
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The stick money intae Celtic, dinae stick money intae Celtic is as old a debate as CQN itself. It’s an entrenched standpoint that bores the the living daylights out of those who are here for the craic, and creates unneccessary resentment between good Tims.
for myself, I AM jealous of the uncle and cousin who will take their seats in Paradise today to watch the Hoops take the field. The same uncle and cousin who not be at Paradise next season when we are playing deidco. We have all talked about this at length, and the general consensus is that life if too short, who needs the hatred, bile and agro that will be off the scale compared with oldco games? No thank you.
Let’s hope Scott Allan gets a start today. Personally I think the lad has a big future ahead of him, let’s develop him further and reap the rewards.
I think that if a closed-shop league is set up by the sugar daddy clubs then it will devalue every other league. However, a fan boycott by supporters of the less affluent (effluent?) could quickly derail it. The Champions League relies on a lot of goodwill from fans like ours, who know from the outset that we’ve no chance of winning it. If people turn against the idea across Europe then the TV audience this venture is premised on would collapse. Nobody wants to stand with their nose against the window while the fat cats gorge themselves at the banquet inside. All we need to do is walk away.
Celtic need gazprom. Been saying it for years.
On the train from Edinburgh back to Glasgow ready for my first Celtic match. No words could adequately express my excitement.
I feel incredibly fortunate as I never dreamed this day would come. I follow CQN daily, but rarely post. I just want to express my appreciation to all, and especially Paul, for providing an instrument that allows fans worldwide to share in the joy and passion of Celtic. Cheers all.
HH
THETIMREAPER on 2ND MARCH 2016 2:50 PM
Not attending Celtic matches and not buying Celtic (home) tickets, merchandise or anything else hurts Celtic. Cheating or no cheating, corruption or no corruption, the fact is it hurts Celtic and brings us closed to our rivals.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/wealthy-put-their-tanks-on-uefas-lawn/comment-page-2/#comment-2786839
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Celtic would only be hurt if the threat had to be carried out.
That puts Celtic in charge of their fate and in not acting they, not supporters, would be hurting Celtic.
Even putting supporters in a position to decide would be wrong.
However I don’t see silence or inaction as likely as long as the risk of either is recognised.
If you read Darryl Broadbent’s interview with John Clark on SFM you will see SFA are betting on the fans desire to keep supporting to see them over their problems.
It’s a Ratner policy that treats customers with disdain.
If you read JJ’S latest blog it would be accepting that TRFC can do what they like and laugh at us.
There is much can be done to see justice done and every reason to do it.
Mr Pastry
I wouldnt say that any supporter that refuses to pay to see the likes of Bobby Madden, Craig Thompson, and Steven McLean cheat Celtic…is punishing the club.
The supporters are not to blame in any way.
Its is up to the board to protect Celtic
Failure to confront the cheating….is not an option.
Wait till next season…it will go into overdrive.
Im wont be paying to watch the honest mistakes of the secret brotherhood
As far as im concerned….its not football, merely cheating.
HH
CHICAGOBHOY67
Hail Hail bud.
CHICAGOBHOY67
Welcome , hope you have a wonderful experience tonight
and see us win with style.
HH
Listen…Ive got a cracker of a fruit machine, but its rigged.
So…who wants to put money in it for me?
Ive also the title deeds to the Leaning Tower of Pisa….50,000
Who’s interested?
Cmon…I know its bent….but so what, who cares, as long as im making money its fine.
HH
Greenpinata on 2nd March 2016 3:19 pm More like a ski slope than Easter Road….and no changing ends at half time. :-)
Those prepared to ignore the cheating, are just as responsible – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/wealthy-put-their-tanks-on-uefas-lawn/comment-page-2/#comments
Green man
So because I am just in from work, having an early tea, before getting ready to go and see my team, I’m as responsible,
Sorry bud that’s pure shite, for me watching Celtic is unconditional, if you don’t want to go, fine that’s your choice,
I don’t care if I ever attend another game involving whatever Hun team may arrive at our door, I won’t be there regardless of whether it’s Celtic park,humpdump or grey skull . I am a Celtic fan, have been all my 56 years that’s all I’m responsible for.
Masty
I wasnt talking about you.
I was referring to the DD,PL and the board.
Should have made that clear.
They are the ones responsible.
HH
A couple of posters in here seem to think/know the rotten mob will walk away from these court charges unscathed, not me, and there are also a couple who have told you that once the cases are over, there’s more to come on res12 .
Maybe mistakenly, but I am taking these guys on their word, as they say “all good things come to those who wait “
chicagobhoy1967 on 2nd March 2016 3:39 pm….I hope it is a great experience for you tonight. My first game was more than 60 years ago. I remember it as though it were yesterday…(liar, liar)
The Green Man at 2:23 said:
“Also…Id like to mention the total sevco penalty and red card stats since their formation, and if that isnt suspicious…i dont know what is.”
Does anyone have those stats? I would love to see them.
JJ
Broadbent being Broadfoot.
Green man
Don’t always agree with what you post, but respect your right of reply, but when it all boils down to it for me my love of Celtic will never waver,
Those cheating Hun fecks have been here all my life , I have seen their cheating ways first hand.
They will always be here in one guise or another, and the establishment will continue to protect them.
Stepbhoy & Greenman
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Just thinking ‘out the box’.
On those occasions when our re-vamped smaller stadium is oversubcribed – what about a fan’s area located out side with giant screens and adequate hospitality and catering, for those unable to get a ground ticket.
We could probably accomodate 5/7.5k at a nominal charge of say £5 per head. There would be a good crowd atmosphere close to the ‘real’ action.
Look I know there would be hurdles and knee-jerk objections to overcome – but it is these ‘left-field’ type ideas that we must be addressing, if we are to carve out our ‘new’ place in the football world.
Masty
You cant blame people for being doubtful.
Its been going on that long, that we expect the cheating.
That’s no way to run Football.
I think myself it will be handshakes all round…move along.
But…I live in hope….just.
HH
CHICAGOBHOY1967 on 2ND MARCH 2016 3:39 PM
On the train from Edinburgh back to Glasgow ready for my first Celtic match. No words could adequately express my excitement.
I feel incredibly fortunate as I never dreamed this day would come. I follow CQN daily, but rarely post. I just want to express my appreciation to all, and especially Paul, for providing an instrument that allows fans worldwide to share in the joy and passion of Celtic.Cheers all.
HH
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Brilliant mate,no finer experience on the planet than goin to Celtic Park to watch the hoops,i am goin myself tho prob wont get there til just before kick off,go over by the pools office you may be able to put a few names to monikers,if you have the time,
if you dont have a great time at the game and enjoy your time in Scotland.
all the best
HH
MR PASTRY on 2ND MARCH 2016 3:01 PM
‘I must mention Auldheid and his ‘words of wisdom’ – what advantage would it give us to ‘mouth off’ about The Rangers at this moment in time – with no foolproof legal platform, any assertions by Celtic could seriously ‘backfire’ and draw us into the fiasco.’
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The only thing that Celtic need to make clear at the moment is that they reject the same club narrative.
That’s all that matters for now , everything else is secondary, and can be dealt with another time, if needs be.
And the fact that the old club died is not affected one iota by all the various ongoing court cases, so to use them as an excuse for remaining silent is both dishonest and cowardly.
Johann Murdoch 3.15
Alternatively you could just sell your biggest asset and buy something smaller.
There is a correlation there.
TT
Auldheid on 2nd March 2016 4:04 pm…you might have been right the first time…
Surely the answer is to turn the South Stand into a Super Casino?
We could get a floating pitch as well
MoonbeamsCSC
Chicagobhoy1967 all the best for your long awaited trip to Paradise, hope you have an enjoyable evening, is the the being shown live on any UK channels? H H Hebcelt
Green man
I’m as doubtful as you are mate, but, I like to think myself as a glass half full sort of guy,any ways my teas just about ready, them I’m down the brazen
Masty
Masty the huns have always had to cheat to beat us.
I though when they died things might be a bit difference…but it seems not.
We cant afford to let sevco dominate us by cheating.
Thats exactly what they want…for us to keep quiet.
Its went on too long…time for an end to it, once and for all.
Enjoy the game bud.
HH
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 2ND MARCH 2016 3:04 PM
THETIMREAPER
So…you are blaming supporters because they refuse to fund a rigged game.
Seriously.
Maybe if the board confronted the corruption, they might gain a bit of genuine respect.
But asking supporters to ignore the cheating and pay anyway….I dont think so.
Why the feck should anyone go along with that?
Are we just all daft or what?
HH
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I said not supporting or buying tickets hurts Celtic. No amount of reasoning changes that reality. I get all aspects of the argument but i put my cash in because in a tiny little way it helps Celtic. The establishment Hun wants to divide and conquer. I won’t let them beat me.
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 2nd March 2016 3:29 pm
Traditionalist88
Like i said….you are on the wrong blog Napoleon
Im not impressed by your bs.
Try FF, im sure they will appreciate your rapier like wit.
But then again, even the Huns would probably be bored with you:)
Scroll on by
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I heard they prefer primary school banter and is full of trumpets, where did you say you migrated here from?? The Green Hun, eh.
ChicagoBhoy, enjoy, a few spoilt idiots on here could learn a lot from you.
HH
Green man
I truly believe their day is coming
From the president himself
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/29/presidential-proclamation-irish-american-heritage-month-2016
:-)
HH
Mr pastry,
A licenced paid entry fab zone should be a goer without any stadium downsizing.
Said it for years.
I was at a tranmere rovers game the other week and even they had a large marquee outside filled with fans guzzling £1 quid pints.
God knows how they made a profit :)
Unless it was tap water
HH
Florida bhoy
My season ticket will be purchased next year, but like your cousin, I won’t attend any game against them, if fact I intend to ask the SLO the chances of buying my ticket cheaper by not attending
Sevco know they dont have the cash to compete, so their strategy is to dominate by cheating.
We cannot allow that.
They are two-bob chancers, but they still pull the strings.
Time they were stopped in their tracks, before it gets worse.
HH
Geordie
I was told another lounge similar to the jerry dale will be ready for next season
Ffs Jerry dale should read kerrydale
Traditionalist88
I need to go…but before i do.
Let me just say…away ye go ya muppet.
You are a waste of space.
See ya
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 2nd March 2016 4:19 pm ….flattery will get you everywhere :-)