- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
FC Barcelona player Dani Alvez of Brazil, right, duels for the ball with Bayern Munich player Franck Ribery, from France, during their Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona in Munich, southern Germany, on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
On Tuesday afternoon, the Premier League’s Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, must have been wondering what that icy shiver running down his spine was. The next morning when he opened the paper, he would have realised it was the English Premier League’s worst nightmare rearing its ugly head again.
At a press conference on the eve of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League qualifier with Celtic, Arsene Wenger had revealed that a European Super League is not just a prophecy it’s a reality.
“I see more a European league developing over time rather than one team going out of the country,” said Wenger, when asked if he could envisage either of the Old Firm clubs joining the Premier League.
“The national leagues will survive but maybe in 10 years, you will have a European league.
“I’m not sure 100 percent that I’m right, but I feel inside our game there are some voices behind the scenes coming up to do something about that, especially if the rules become too restrictive for these clubs.”
It wouldn’t have just been the big wigs at the English FA who were feeling like a stiff drink after those comments, either.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, his UEFA counterpart, Michel Platini, and the head of every domestic league the world over would have been concerned.
A Super League is all but inevitable and will cause a bigger seismic shift in the landscape of world football then anything that’s come before it.
The thirst, desire and need for money from Europe’s biggest clubs will eventually out strip what domestic competitions and the Champions League can offer. These clubs hold so much sway that, if they’re unhappy with the situation offered to them, they’ll simply make their own destiny.
I’m a football traditionalist, so it pains me to admit it but, as dangerous as a European Super League is, it’s also quite alluring.
Already the prospect of this year’s UEFA Champions League is even more enticing then any of the European domestic leagues.
I think a part of this is that it’s the only truly open tournament in Europe. How many domestic competitions could potentially be won by as many as ten teams this season?
Despite the temptations, such a league could potentially be very damaging.
Even for Australia.
Think about what impact it would have on the Socceroos. Right now a number of our players get to mix it with some of the best players in the world. Whether it’s Tim Cahill in England or Marco Bresciano in Italy, they’re playing at the highest level and are better players for it.
How many of the Socceroos would be involved in a European Super League? If it began today, only Scott McDonald at Celtic would stand any real chance.
Pim Verbeek’s squad would then enter next year’s World Cup having played at a lower standard then they would have done otherwise. It’s just one example of how things could change.
European football has put itself in this position and soon it will have to face the consequences. Football is evolving and a massive restructuring at club level is inevitable.
A European Super League is at once both a bright prospect and a grey cloud hovering over the football landscape.
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.