http://www.uefa.org/about-uefa/organisation/congress/news/newsid=2079556.html The death of the international friendly match. Thoughts? DTLW
Thoughts? More worried by the news that grass roots football participant numbers are falling. The FA have lost funding due to this.
Sounds like a good idea in theory and could improve the national sides, but will there be too many games to suit the clubs. How many games will players have to be released for? I think EUFA are also trying to establish more power...they are not happy with FIFA and all its corruption culminating in the selling of the World Cup to unsuitable countries.
There is some good in this and some bad. Most people see international friendlies as pointless, but they do offer a chance for experimentation prior to qualifying matches or the tournaments themselves. My worry is that the England team will become more of an elite club bastion than ever, with top 4 players locked in for life. How will the Rickie Lamberts of the future ever get a shot at the national team if they aren't playing for a top 4 club?
It will also give the lower teams some competitive games with league positions to play for...could be great for the San Marinos of this world. The FA seem in favour as it will give national sides a competitive competition rather than meaningless friendlies. What effect it will have on FIFA rankings is yet to be seen as top teams will play top teams, which means no easy points to be gained.
Yeah, read this yesterday. Bad news in my opinion. Another tournament is not required. However, if they are determined, I suppose England, Scotland, NI and Wales could refuse to enter and set up their own tournament..? Do you think a Home International contest might catch on..?
Does this now devalue the European Cup (whatever its called)? In the same way that our FA Cup has gone down the ladder as Premier Leagues survival is so important, will the Euro's become less important?
I think there is a place up for grabs. If the eight teams in the top league qualify by the usual route the free ticket drops to the next group and so on. There are probably other aspects to it, but that is the bit I did understand. Platini has also said that there will be no more international breaks...just the ones they usually have...so it shouldn't affect the clubs.
The SFA seem to be in favour...claim it will give a chance to smaller nations to qualify for a major tournament.
Maybe if I saw a diagram or a flow chart it would make more sense, but this all seems a bit of a muddle. Little chance of friendlies with nations outside Europe now.
