But best league in the world when it comes to money and that is what counts As the president of Barcelona said (a while ago) their competition is the premier league. It has all the money and global draw. Of course Barca may be looking for a new league very soon From just 2 days ago "President Josep Maria Bartomeu says that the giants will consider playing outside of the Spanish top-flight... which could see them apply to join the Premier League".
Just a thought: Barca apply to Prem. Prem obliged to invite Celtic. The 'orns meet our old mate Bren yet again. OK forget it.
Disagree - it's success that counts, plenty of top players have attested to that. As for Barcelona joining the EPL, I'm sure that Andorra's Primera Divisió would make them more welcome...
It's a two-way street actually - 'moronic' doesn't do anything like justice to the torrent of abuse from English fans on social media last night about the Scottish team playing in their pink strip. The fact that the game itself was very entertaining was, apparently, irrelevant - or, from what I've read about England's performance, maybe jealousy was the root cause? Am not sure about the younger generation thing - I spent my second decade living in England and found out very quickly that such abuse was almost a national sport.
But a few players who have short lived careers is nothing compared to the fans. The revenues are in billions. And the fans are truely global. And once they pin down illegal streaming, which I'm sure they will, then they will get more. As the owners of the prem have demonstrated they have no responsibility towards players. They'll ship them in as and when and discard them just as easily. I remember how many 'orns were nervous about the Pozzos making us a secondary club to Udinese. But we now see where is the most important place to be and have success Or Gibraltar might join the Catalan league just to rub salt into Rajoy's wounds BB where do you stand on Celtic and the Prem? Afterall Barca could open that door. Would it be good for Scottish football?
I'm probably on the fence on that one. It's not so much a case which teams are let in, but which teams are disadvantaged by letting them in. If it involved an expansion to 22 teams (or even the creation of two divisions), I wouldn't see a problem - if not, then it'd simply be a kick in the teeth to English clubs imo, depending upon how the transition was handled. Four down & two up, or two down & none up? As to Scottish football, it's hard to say. I have no love for the Luton of Scotland or their fans - aka Rangers - and would hate to think that they simply fill the void that Celtic leave behind. If they were to both go (doubtful as Rangers simply aren't good enough), there'd be some financial ramifications for a few clubs for a period of time - but I suspect that, over time, the remaining clubs might thrive as they would actually have something to aim for competitively. And I think the fans of those clubs would find it more enjoyable. Rather than opening the door for Barcelona + whoever to join the EPL, I would imagine that another breakaway league would be preferable for some. A European Super League comprising of The 'Big Six' from England and the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG etc.
Well its clear the Premier league and FA want very different things.. The former - a world wide footballing brand whilst the latter a successful national side at all levels. But they both want to make sure they can make as much money as possible.
It could be that we see a combination of smaller leagues in the future. Teams like Ajax, Anderlecht, Feyenoord, Benfica, Celtic etc. who no longer really compete on the European stage but who are still big names in football but suffer through not being in leagues with lots of investment. Fans of Ajax may find regular games against Anderlecht more interesting than some of the other teams in the Netherlands - a Belgian/Dutch league could happen at some stage which could also draw clubs from other leagues such as Celtic or FC. Copenhagen. As for Celtic in the Premiership - would they survive there ? Would their fans find games against Burnley more interesting than against Hearts or Rangers ? I doubt it - they would certainly be kissing European football goodbye for quite some time if they did so. Barcelona I can see joining the French League rather than the EPL. it makes more sense geographically.
Weird to think that some of our mob will get to play in the World cup but Messi and Sanchez might not! Wales v Ireland will be a decent game with both knowing a win might see them top the group. Reckon Scotland will slip up in true Scottish fashion.
Ironic, isn't it? Nations seem intent on breaking up... who else are Barcelona and Español going to play in a Catalan league? As for Celtic I think they would get relegated from the Prem, or very nearly... they would have no chance of winning it.
It should be born in mind that if La Liga force Barca to go, their league will be greatly weakened, less entertaining, and poorer. Once the stupid one-upmanship between Madrid and Barcalona cools down commonsense may prevail, seperation or not. But sadly Spain is not a country where commonsense is found in large quantities. And as everyone here in Spain knows Catalonia cannot go independent as it does not have the basic functions of an independent country in place. Their former leader (former as in he is banned from formal political office) openly admitted that yesterday. And Madrid can take over all administrative offices, using force, and thus such functions will be impossible to create. Doesn't seem to occur to Spaniards that their already weak economy is going to be detroyed by this process. Indeed already is being destroyed. One funny observation. The far left CUP party in Catalonia is at the forefront of the independance declaration push. And its external support inside Europe is coming from the far right including Nigel Farage, Geert Wilders and Heinz-Christian Strache. Funny old world Sorry getting off topic. C'mon Cadiz (Tonight against Osasuna)
No country has the basic functions of an independent country until it becomes so. Croatia, The Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia etc. none of these had these basic functions before independence.
Colognehornet I don't think it is the same. They had a functioning administration and access to bank accounts. They had external state friends. Catalonia has no state friends. An EU that cannot let it succeed. An enemy that has the right to terminate all of its autonomy written into the constitution (article 155, I expect it to be actioned on Wednesday) and has demonstrated that using force is not an issue. Further, as will be seen this weekend, the government here is stoking the hatred against Catalunya and has already started to demolish the regions very successfull business sector. There is also the not small point that a fair and free referendum would very likely show that independance is not the preferred option of the majority. Although as the state attacks Catalunya support for the independistas is growing. IMHO as a minimum it would need external help at state level, a general election in Spain bringing the Podemos political party to power (very unlikely), and a fair and free referendum, before independance would be possible. And of course Spain without Catalunya would make Greece look like paradise. So Spain has to win at any cost.
Catalonia has many friends - just not governments prepared to do the decent thing. the silence from the EU. is sickening.......how often have they supported independence movements in the past, which were at a safe distance ? The immediate recognition of Slovenia and Croatia, the support for the breakup of the USSR, sympathy for the idea of a Kurdish state, and it is amazing how many car stickers you see for 'Free Tibet'. Yet they are/were all at a safe distance. But they will say that the difference is that Spain is a democracy - but is it ? Can I describe a country as a democracy which offers no possibility of a legal road to independence ? Based on a constitution written only 2 years after Franco's death - where we do not know the conditions under which it was written, and exactly who signed it - written in a country which has still not freed itself from the shadow of Franco. Or how else is it that human rights violations from his period have to be tried in Buenos Aires ? Or that research into the fates of the 200,000 people listed as missing during his regime is still obstructed by the authorities ? EU. support for Spain has limits which will not include the acceptance of force of a quasi military nature. Catalonia may not have the support of the EU. (at the moment) but the reaction of the United Nations may be different.
I would have no objection to Barcelona joining the English League structure - we allowed Cardiff in there But I feel that, like Cardiff or Swansea, they should earn their right to be there via promotion. But then the same would apply in the Championship - they would have to earn it (otherwise it would be unfair). I suggest starting them in the Southern League - geographically it would make sense to be in the Western Division (thus cutting down on travelling expenses). So their closest local derby would be against Bridport. I can't wait for the El Classico against Taunton at the Viridor Stadium.
So - once again nothing for Scotland, Wales or Nth Ireland - only England benefits. What sort of one-sided Union is this?
Welsh teams play in the Prem. The Welsh play cricket with the English. It is the English and Welsh Cricket Board. Please don't think it is the Rest vs England
So - once again nothing for Scotland or Nth Ireland - only England & Wales benefit. What sort of one-sided Union is this?
