So it looks like the big clubs owners knew this would get a bad reaction and are pushing ahead anyway. Now personally i like the idea of a more sensible and competitive PL, although there are concerns about how much money would be available, and i'd expect some turmoil with salaries and the like when the new lower value media deals are inked. However two things would be catastrophic - firstly the rest of the football pyramid would be royally screwed, and numerous clubs will go to the wall. Secondly international football will become on a par with football at the Olympics as far as legitimacy goes. Enough top players will choose the money of the super league to take all the shine of world cups and the like. But then, the FA and UEFA are also to blame. They saw dollar signs and welcomed outside money with no vested interest in the cultural underpinnings of these clubs. They knew these people were simply buying into a money making opportunity. And they welcomed them, without adequately safeguarding the history of all the clubs whose futures depend on the status quo. They are all guilty of creating this too.
£30m pay off from Spurs apparently, he has earned £60m ish in pay offs from previous clubs, so £90m total - not bad really, what incentive is there to stick to a task and get results when you can get these kind of sums for getting sacked.
Andy Burnham @AndyBurnhamGM For the first time in the history of English football, every football supporter in the country is rooting for Leeds United.
The thing that feels telling currently is that the voices of outrage about this are currently seemingly all European. And the comments under newstories on this that are positive are from Americans and a lot of Asians. If they all pay more for access to this super league, they would probably dwarf any loss of revenue from European markets, many of whom will come in line. Also I can't see UEFA sticking to its guns with the international ban. Theyll maybe get some sort of concession but they are a business too, and those World cups need to keep the coffers full. Having seen the financial situations for many of the 12, and the debt that they have that is coming due, I think annoying fans is the least of the owners concerns. Many are probably thinking this super league is the only get out of jail free card they have left to play before their big football investments collapse under the weight of their financial responsibilities.
Well said PB Patrick Bamford: "It's amazing the amount of uproar when somebody's pocket is being hurt. It's a shame that this doesn't happen with issues like racism."
So says one of the extremely fortunate few whose pocket hasn't been hurt. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
Considering the childish reaction from heritage fans, the professionally outraged on Twitter and points scoring corrupt self interested ****s like Boris and Sky, I can see all the teams moving on to where they might be loved. Perhaps some tax havens with mild winters? I have drawn up a list of candidate cities for the unloved super rich clubs: Al Ain Milan ManDhabi City Bahrainalona Chelsurj Al Khalifa El Tel-Aviv Hotspur OMan United Kuwentus Livarabia Juventeddah InQatar Milan Riyadh Madrid Athletic Mecca And Alserkanol (it's in Dubai)
What does it say about the state of things when Patrick 'my face my face!' Bamford is our spokesman for moral decency.
Alan Shearer is suggesting that the 6 clubs be banned from the PL. I doubt that will happen but it would be a very different league - more competitive for a start. The 6 already have a league of their own where they're guaranteed a place near the top by their obscene wealth. Leicester have made a breakthrough in recent years, but will it last or will they go the way of Forest after Clough? Without the 6, the whole league would be more competitive. There would be less money, but perhaps that would be a good thing.
All 6 Premier teams have now withdrawn from the proposed ESL. Have heard nothing of the teams from Italy and Spain. Given that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez stated that the ESL had been initiated for the good of football I can see them obstinately hanging on until the grim end.
Is it just me or does anyone else see having Bale in the dressing room as a massive negative factor on team unity. Having said that I never understood the rationale of Mourinho as Spurs manager. His style of football is almost the opposite to the type of football Tottenham are known for.