19 Apr 2021 21:17:32
Evening Ed001
Can I ask if I'm your opinion this ESL happens or not? Seems there is a lot stacked against it as has been explained.
{Ed001's Note - the fear is that Utd and Liverpool seem intent on forcing it to happen and that the three Spanish clubs will stay onboard as their fans are glory hunters who are not interested in genuine competition. Unlike the rest, their fans are likely to back the idea. It could end up in a situation where there is no choice but to go ahead, unless they all back out quickly in the next couple of days.
I am hopeful they will be forced to back down, but it is only a matter of time before it does happen imo.}
19 Apr 2021 21:42:24
Ed1 on the point about an inevitable break. What is the preferred way forward that would leave everyone happy? Is it basically a CL format that isn't run by UEFA?
{Ed001's Note - the rich clubs just want a closed shop with no relegation issues to affect income.}
19 Apr 2021 21:47:47
Surely the cost of loosing players not being able to sign other good players and loosing klopp would be enuf to halt this madness!
19 Apr 2021 22:02:01
The crack I heard Ed was that it is really Juve, Real and Barcelona who are the chief proponents of the idea?
All 3 clubs in serious financial difficulties of course.
{Ed001's Note - no, it is Liverpool and Man Utd that are pushing things and have already begun legal action to ensure they can't be blocked from moving to it. Those three and Atleti are very keen, but sadly it is us and United that are pushing it forward right now.}
19 Apr 2021 22:06:02
Ed1, have any of the English sides showed signs of backing out? It looks like things have gone too far and it will get pushed through but that’s me looking from the outside in.
{Ed001's Note - Chelsea, Spurs and Man City are all unhappy with the legal action being taken. They look the likeliest to back out.}
19 Apr 2021 22:15:34
All that matters to them is lining the pockets of a few, doesn't matter how they get there.
19 Apr 2021 22:21:05
Ed1. Bleeding heck. So us, Man United and Arsenal are willing to die on this cross even if sanctions like being kicked out of the Premier League are enforced?
{Ed001's Note - I am not sure about Arsenal, but us and United have gone in all guns blazing. Unfortunately the American culture is often litigate first, then negotiate afterwards and that is what they have done. It is a total misjudgement as it is just forcing a fight when it wasn't needed to become a fight. Now if, as I hope they do, they back down, it is going to leave a much nastier taste in the mouth. There was just no need for it anyway, they jumped in two-footed before seeing what the reaction would be like. It is idiocy by people blinded by greed and not taking time to step back and see the big picture before acting. They are so used to getting their own way, they have forgotten to consider whether they should do or not.}
19 Apr 2021 22:36:40
Luckily the 2 clubs (us and United) that are pushing the hardest are the 2 with arguably the most passionate fans.
Hopefully we can get together as groups of fans and organise some action against them.
19 Apr 2021 22:40:04
Ed1, if as you say the eventual and inevitable breakaway will be an exclusive competition anyways, then what is going to be different about other alternative options? Ed2 says that there is an elite group of clubs still discussing this and that group includes clubs who are of this 12 and others who are not. I'm trying to imagine what alternative version of a breakaway league is going to be announced that will appease everyone.
This ESL appears to me to be a PR disaster, which has been par for the course for FSG to be fair. But, given we know there are talks ongoing and that inevitable change is coming, it feels to me that this is more about aesthetics than real virtue.
{Ed001's Note - it won't appease everyone, but what happens is that people become apathetic if you keep pushing something on them. The first time they react angrily but gradually you wear down resistance if you just keep trying every so often and that is what I believe will happen.}
20 Apr 2021 01:25:08
Exactly ed. I am imagine those within the 12 look at themselves as pioneers.
20 Apr 2021 08:33:24
ED I would put my mortgage on it that FSG knew the uproar would come and they are that arrogant they didn't care, greed drives them, nothing more.
{Ed001's Note - if they do back out, it is only a matter of time before they come out with a similar plan, and they will continue doing so until it is accepted.}
20 Apr 2021 10:25:25
Why not put each of the 32 teams that qualify into 4 groups of 8, same countries can be put with each other, play each other twice, top 4 go into knockouts, the clubs get their extra games, domestic football is untouched, the League cup has been dying for 20 odd years, the FA Cup isn't far behind (which the Premier League has helped to kill, but they won't like that being said, they are suddenly best mates), nothing in football will change without caps, clubs shouldn't be hundreds or even tens of millions in debt, players can still have big salaries but nothing like what has been. Never have i been so out of love with football.
20 Apr 2021 10:26:37
Thanks Ed1. So it doesn’t look as open and shut as it did last night or even this morning. I’m just confused how these clubs who have powerful lawyers, advisors etc didn’t anticipate the backlash and or weren’t advised by the people spear heading the Super League that UEFA and FIFA would propose such punishments.
This more so with those clubs looking like they may back out but why go this far only to pull the plug or was it a case that they didn’t think UEFA and FIFA would follow through on such threats or they didn’t think they can legally carrying them out? I am genuinely at a loss of words as it strikes me of either idiocy or being amateurishly unprepared, which again is weird when you are conducting business at such a high level.
When you say us and Man United have began legal action to prevent us from being blocked so we can’t move into it. This may sound stupid but how so? I thought it’s a case of your choice to join but these are the ramifications if you do, unless I’m missing something.