Ok, I will say that I have nothing against "plastics" as such, I don't mind who chooses to follow our club - but I don't really understand it.
Liverpool just happened to be one of my local teams as a sprog so it's natural that I would follow them (or the other lot). I get that some non-locals have family or historic connections too, but I really have no idea why people in the far east or whatever feel strongly about European clubs. I can understand that if they have poorer leagues they might watch the high-profile leagues, but I'm not sure why they'd get passionate about them.
However, like I said - I'm ok with that even if I don't really get it. But the people that run football and the TV companies are exploiting that market without any regard for the effect it has on the game. It's become a global commodity to be actively sold to as many people as possible.
I'm reminded of when Channel 4 hammered us into submission with US sports in the 80's. I have no interest in watching American Football or baseball teams or whatever, but it worked with some people.
Don't misunderstand me, big money has brought some good things to the game, we get to see some of the world's best players in our league, but there are bad things as well.
When we were dominant in the 70s and 80's teams like Forest or Ipswich could compete with us - now only the richest clubs have a chance, and a money-based elite is impenetrable.
Money has always given advantages to clubs, and the PL has at least tried to give some help to lower clubs with the TV money, but the disparity is just too extreme.
Having more clubs brought up to the level of the super-rich doesn't solve the problem - I'd rather some effective measures to hold them back were implemented. However, it doesn't seem possible - which is why it's depressing.