What is happening to the world of football? A few weeks back I read an article by Leander Schaerlaeckens about how Michel Platini is proposing a plan to merge the Eredivisie and Jupiler Leagues (Belgian League).
The reason? The overwhelming domination of Anderlecht in the Belgian League and the domination of the top three in Netherlands have pushed UEFA to come with an arrangement that will benefit all the clubs in Belgium.
Although it is just in Platini’s head for the time being, if you ask me there are far greater things out there he should be thinking about other than this.
But the concerning issue is that this merging of leagues is spreading across Europe.
I was shocked to read the Daily Mail this morning and find out that Phil Gartside is planning to invite Rangers and Celtic into the Premier League. It brought back the memory of 2001 when the whole Phoenix League idea propped up.
He is also planning to have two divisions of eighteen clubs, with the Scottish clubs going into the second tier of the league.
The argument to put off the merging of the Eredivise and Jupiler League was the success of the Dutch league this year.
Under the management of Louis Van Gaal, AZ Alkmaar surprised Van Basten and the gang to win the title in a very impressive style. A few years back it was Van Basten, when managing the Dutch national team, who proposed something similar due to the domination of Ajax, only to be rejected by the FA.
But what about Scotland? Can you see anyone apart from Old Firms coming and winning the SPL? I do not see that happening in the next ten years.
So does that mean the Old Firms have got good grounds to enter the Premier League? Does the Premier League really needs two more clubs in its structure.
Why spoil the blueprints of a structure which is performing beyond expectations?
UEFA can resolve this problem with a very easy method.
Just like the government of a country which subsidises under-performing firms or industry within the country, UEFA should think about providing benefits to the weaker Leagues within Europe to make them more competitive, rather than splitting the Leagues.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Salah was dropped from the starting side for the visit to London - and the striker was involved in a furious confrontation with Klopp…
Liverpool have fallen further out of contention for the Premier League title - but that's perhaps the least of Jurgen Klopp's problems. Just as…
Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Feyenoord for their head coach Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.…
The past 18-24 months have been an enjoyable ride for Arsenal and their fan-base after almost a decade of turbulence. Mikel Arteta has been…
Manchester City have chalked up another big win in their hunt for an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title, with Phil Foden continuing his…
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
