Reports in Spain state that the clubs who walked away from the ESL will be fined €300m each for breaking the contracts due to a clause saying we couldn't leave within the first three years, and that the ESL will continue to exist until those fines are paid In other words, we don't pay a cent and watch Los Ladrones, Barca and Juve sit in their paddling pool as they claim they're swimming in an ocean
Lots of talk this morning about UEFA saying that there will be sanctions against the ESL clubs. Unfortunately this is no more than emotion and speculation as reported. What is notably absent is proper journalism. For example, someone having a look at what the ESL clubs actually signed up for, or more importantly what is the legal basis of what they signed. Secondly someone needs to look closely on what the rules actually are pertaining to all this, and work out if any have been legally broken. UEFA don't have a great track record of enforcing rules, such as when it turned out Citeh despite doing wrong hadn't actually broken them. So before all this wailing and anger is taken to be factual, perhaps the facts of what has legally happened should be established. Because if rules haven't actually been broken (and it wouldn't surprise me if they haven't, but we'll see), can you actually sanction clubs for intent to do something, if they haven't actually done it?
If you can sanction clubs for intent, Man Utd and Liverpool would start games with several players on a booking due to their intent to dive
Executives at clubs involved in the failed European Super League have been forced to resign from advisory roles at the Premier League. The move is a consequence of the so-called 'big six' teams attempting to set up a league which drew widespread criticism before it fell apart. The 14 other Premier League clubs felt betrayed by the move and demanded that executives involved, including Manchester United's Ed Woodward, Liverpool's Tom Werner and Manchester City's Ferran Soriano, step down. Woodward and Werner will no longer sit on the Premier League's club broadcast advisory group. Soriano and Arsenal's chief executive Vinai Venkatesham will be removed from the club strategic advisory group, while Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck will no longer be on the audit and remuneration committee. Tottenham, who were also part of the short-lived European Super League breakaway, were not represented in the three groups, which were introduced 18 months ago and discuss ideas before they are presented to clubs to vote on. The resignations will not effect any of the six clubs' voting rights.
Since Woodward is leaving (and was going to leave at the end of the season regardless) how long before his replacement is given an advisory role?
How would people have felt if instead of a closed shop they had suggested a top tier European League with two levels and promotion and relegation to national leagues? Something like 24 teams in ESL, 3x24 teams in ESL2 with 6 down and 2 up from each section. 4 down from each section and one up from the top 6 national leagues with the other six places going to play offs from the smaller leagues.
Nope. The European system should be similar to what it is now, perhaps even going back a few years instead. There should be no league or league-like cup.
“Well, I think that you have to see Boris as a career map. He works it out, he decides which way the wind is blowing, and that wonderful phrase about a politician - a man who waits to see the way the crowd is running and then dashes in front and says, ‘Follow me’." - Michael Heseltine
30 odd years ago, Tebbit remarked that Thatcher was a conservative "by instinct" , and Major was a conservative "by X" (wish I could remember what "X" was - - I recall it not being derogatory but sufficient to make the contrast) . In a similar vein, Johnson is a shameless 'conservative by opportunity' .
The 9 of the 12 who've agreed to cut ties with the ESL have agreed to make a total donation of €15m to be used for grassroots and youth football, whilst also losing 5% of their earnings from UEFA Competition for one season which will be redistributed (aka probably chucked in Ceferin's pocket no doubt). Dan Kilpatrick's mentioned that Spurs have said any fines incurred will be of the responsibility of the owners and not from club funds - as it ****ing should be too.
Is the 5% from this season? Could be weird if it isn't, as there are clubs that may not qualify for any UEFA competitions.
Doesn’t actually say but I’d imagine it’ll be for future, so they may have a long wait for Arsenal... Edit: I suppose it will be for this season actually. Fines will be paid in due course that way.
The FIGC have issues Juventus with an ultimatum: either you resign from the ESL before the start of next season, or you're relegated from Serie A
If there hadn’t been the backlash, none of these clubs would have been contrite about anything. The common denominator with all these owners is that they go whichever way the wind’s blowing. They are committed to nothing but profit.
Except for Los Ladrones, who are being remarkably bullish with them trying to say the clubs who pulled out owe them money - and the ESL will continue to exist until they do Something tells me that Juve are currently telling them it isn't worth it...
