Sport is a subject that we do not comment on – we believe that politics and sport should always be separated
Yet the orchestrated furore in the media – the apocalyptic statements from footballs “governing” bodies makes us ask the question – why – and in whose name do they claim to represent?
The proposal from the large European clubs – is a natural progression from a process that started in the 1990’s – and at face value is simply abandoning one tournament the European Champions League and replacing it with a European Super League.
Let us not forget, it was the largest and best supported English clubs that decided unilaterally in 1992 to break away from the century old Football League – and who got the “old school brigade” at the Football Association to back and legitimise their break-away.
There was no “fans debate” allowed – no government involvement – when the football match rights were taken from the free to air terrestrial channels and taken to a subscription only service. No one cared then – if fans could afford these new costs or not.
Since its inception – the Premier League – in its quest for money – has found more and more success – increasing its broadcasting revenues at each new round of contracts. They even have the arrogance unlike the NFL in the United States – to only count appearances and goals since its inception – in its self-satisfying statistics – honours and goals scored in the previous competition – completely ignored.
Financially the breakaway was a success for all its participants – but at the “sporting expense” of clubs outside of the League – who no longer have the financial ability to compete fairly based on 2 “clever rules”
- Money distribution from the Premier League to its members – is so vast – that it has created a self-perpetuating system – where at the start of each season, you basically know, which six clubs may get relegated – and then re-promoted (Norwich promoted 2019, relegated 2020, promoted 2021….)
- Financial Fair Play – which was “sold to the masses” as a way of keeping clubs away from bankruptcy – where ownership was limited to how much they could invest based on an “imposed” formula – which is morally and commercially wrong – like saying to the rivals of the Apple company – that based on their past performance and financial results – they could only invest X% – regardless of their own Board of Directors decision.
So, it amazes us to hear Klopp ask – would Liverpool fans like to watch them play Real Madrid 10-years running…at the moment – due – to financial restraints against the non-Premier League clubs – they have played Burnley for 6-straight years…. soon to be 7…
Moving onto the media onslaught led by Sky* (now owned by the Globalists Comcast / NBC) – so now no longer the owner of the great cycling team – where we have witnessed two days of broadcasting hysteria in opposition to the European Super League – where its pundits are being given “free reign” to attack the proposal – declaring it is against the fan’s intertests….as if they have been elected to speak for the true fans…
But we do wonder why? Is it because the Comcast globalists – are worried that their “cash cow” the Premier League will be worth less with the ESL introduction – are they worried that their investments will have to increase…that “bigger boys” like Amazon will take the cherry from the top of the cake?
Whatever the real reason we hope that the ownership of the ESL founding members remember the broadcaster who led the “attacks” and extracts a hefty price for this – during the next broadcasting bidding round. No tears will be shed amongst us Populists with the demise of the Globalist Comcast.
Finally, UEFA – the organisation that has profited on splits within its member countries – to make itself a billion-dollar organisation. The organisation which is launching attacks against the European Super League – for one sole purpose – to keep the money themselves.
The organisation had already in our view – contaminated the ethos of sporting fairness – when it changed its original conception idea – of a tournament for the winner of each national league – where on a “free” draw – anyone could play anyone.
Instead – to earn more revenue – that concept was changed – smaller countries had to play matches in earlier rounds (to remove them from the competition faster) – whilst the larger richer members – could have multiple entries – all starting at a later stage of the competition – where the prize money was greater.
And now UEFA – has been out “UEFA’ed”.
No one from the ESL founding clubs is saying they cannot keep their “Champions League” – just that the founding clubs no loner wish to participate. And what is wrong with that?
Let’s not forget 1999 when the FA (in its efforts to win the 2006 World Cup – which as always failed) and FIFA persuaded Manchester United to pull out of the F.A Cup – so instead they had to play in FIFA latest money-making opportunity – the ill-conceived World Club championship. So, neither FIFA or our own FA can ever say, they stand for sporting integrity.
We wish the ESL well – and as our headline says, “what goes around comes around” – and the Premier League, UEFA, FIFA and Comcast may now need to pay.