[dazza74]

Just wondering whether with the Eduardo incident affecting Arsenal and the Chelsea transfer ban whether UEFA / FIFA are perhaps pushing it a bit. Could we be on the verge of the big clubs doing their own thing, a back lash similar to what we've already seen recently in F1.

As a neutral the champions league format just doesn't work for me, aside from Chelsea v Athletico there's little to nothing in the group stages involving EPL clubs that gets the pulse racing. Are we perhaps being a bit to politcially correct having all this almost proportional representation from all these other leagues. You look at some of these fixtures and you think it's a bit like Man U turning up to play the "Dog & Duck" pub team for me. I remember a few seasons back my mate a gooner being over the moon that he'd finally get to see Arsenal play Real Madrid at last, surely it shouldn't work like that. Maybe it's me but I liken this champions league to our FA cup frankly.

[mossym]

can't see nay breakaway happening at the moment...things are too up inthe air financially..the chelsea thing at least looks like an effort to break the power of the clubs, so maybe it will force the hands of some

[BlackCountryBob]

Honestly, I think Wenger was right. The top 15 or 20 teams are businesses not sporting institutions (well, they are but you know what I mean) and the act of earning money is more important than anything. If, as the Chelsea judgement would appear to, limits the potential of a club to earn money then they will go somewhere else to make it.

FIFA and UEFA do have some weird decisions though, especially the Eduardo dive which was missed by the referee but he was banned based upon a TV replay while at the same time they rejected the arguement that refs should have access to TV replays.

There will be a super league eventually, the only question will be if Man City can make themselves a big enough force in Europe quick enough to justify an invite. A super league will be a closed competition of the top 20 teams or so will be locked in for all time.

[Steven]

It's the same every year. Go through the motions, come back in February/March when it is knock-out stage

Even changing the format to 3 automatic qualifiers for the big leagues, with the 4th placed team having to qualify for the CL served only to help the established due to the seeding system. Celtic really had no chance against Arsenal

[Greg]

Originally Posted by dazza74

JCould we be on the verge of the big clubs doing their own thing, a back lash similar to what we've already seen recently in F1.

Apologies if my understanding of how fifa/uefa work is completely wrong, but say for example the big clubs left and made their own league, what would they do about transfers? If they are wanting players from clubs outside this new league that still are part of fifa, could fifa block these transfers?

As for the Eduardo incident, I agree with Wenger on this point regarding the video evidence. They use it in some cases after the event, but are firmly against it in others. The sooner Football gets with the modern era of technology the better.

[SHATNERSTACTIC]

Can't fault Fifa / Uefa on the sentiment for either of the decisions affecting the domestic clubs. Do we want to rid the game of divers? Hell yes. Do we want to protect smaller clubs from having their young players poached for a pittance by big multi-national companies. Again yes.

The problem is consistency in the application of the law. If this is the line in the sand on both issues for the governing bodies then great but everyone expects the Chelsea issue to be overturned to an extent and the Eduardo issue may go the same way. In which case these decision are nothing more than a farce.

With regards to the Champions League, it's evolved over several years and will evolve more in the coming years. I'm with Arsene in thinking a European league competition in the next 10 years is inevitible. There's some suggestion that this will run in parallel with domestic competitions.

Signing players in a breakaway league will not be an issue - just as when the Premier League broke away from the FA. Money above all is the lifeblood at the top level of football, tradition, fans, what is right comes second.

Just my 50c

[Coffin]

Originally Posted by lee12

The problem is consistency in the application of the law. If this is the line in the sand on both issues for the governing bodies then great but everyone expects the Chelsea issue to be overturned to an extent and the Eduardo issue may go the same way. In which case these decisions are nothing more than a farce.

Amen.

[RMCF]

Also agree that the format of the CL is wrong, and is rapidly losing its appeal for the fans/viewers.

The opening group stages are not that competitive, and there are too many teams that simply haven't got the resources to put up a fight.

They have got the group stages/knockouts the wrong way round imho.

They need to start with a knockout round (or two) to get rid of the average sides, THEN start groups when all the 'big' teams are left, meaning that every group game is a big game. This would then be equivalent to a 'super league'.

But I agree also that a super league is inevitable. But I think by that time football may have imploded anyway.

[mabo]

I actually like the CL the way it is. It gives the sides from smaller countries the chance to take on the established big boys wihtout being knocked out in one game and the early stages don't stretch squads that need to gain pace in their respective leagues too much.

If there were too many large games too soon, it would take away from the spectacle of ramping up the pressure imo. I certainly don't like the idea of a European Super league as i think it would become slightly less exciting if you knew each team had to play each other. As it is, you get the excitement of the draw and the possibility of two teams who haven't played each other for years facing off.

Oh and i honestly can't see any team/league etc pulling away from Fifa as it would overcomlicate transfers too much. The EPL is still governed by the FA, so hasn't actually broken away and thus there is no problem with accountability, but if the top dozen sides created their own league and refused to accept FIFA's rules, then what would happen with transfer disputes such as the one which has landed Chelsea in hot water? They may be able to pull away from UEFA but i doubt anyone will ever be able to dethrone FIFA.

[dazza74]

UEFA / FIFA do run the game but for me there power only goes so far. The players run the game don't they, I watch Liverpool for Torres & Gerrard, Man U for Rooney etc. FIFA could come down like a ton of bricks on the big clubs like the situation on going with Chelsea but in the end the clubs could take the step of not releasing there players for international duty ultimately diluting the World Cup

For the £9 a month for SS2 is it good value for money currently the champions league especially now ITV only have 1 game a week?

[Steven]

Originally Posted by Greg

Apologies if my understanding of how fifa/uefa work is completely wrong, but say for example the big clubs left and made their own league, what would they do about transfers? If they are wanting players from clubs outside this new league that still are part of fifa, could fifa block these transfers?

Perhaps but then if you are a player from a lowly African, Eastern European or South American side, you are not turning down Real Madrid so something will give and I sure bet it will not be the club or player!

[dazza74]

I'd love to see the back of FIFA myself, some seriously dodgy stuff going on there I remember a documentary a while back when a journalist looked into the ticket allocation for Trinidad & Tobago matches at the last world cup and how the travel firm awarded the contract was a member on the fifa panel for South America. Absolute power corrupts absolutely as Lord Acton once said.