Why is the new football ESL so controversial?

[00100001]

Can some explain like I'm 5?

Why are all the fans, the government, UEFA etc up in arms?

Sorry.... Just not sure what the problem is?

I feel quite sorry for the players, someone like de Bruyne, just signed a new contract so little chance of moving, potentially confined to one league and might never have the chance to play for Belgium again. The ban from playing in international competitions is a big deal.

@Crocidura I was wondering if players have clause in their contracts for if a team is removed from the premiership - I’d bet at least some of the big players do.

@fizbosshoes

If you cant get demoted theres less incentive to play proper competitive football, but if the players are playing an extra game or week and travelling to and from Europe weekly, will that lessen the quality of football they play here. I thought they were already saying there were too many fixtures.

I suppose they won't be playing in domestic leagues though, will they? It's ESL or nothing it seems?

Yes that's a thought @MrsWhites
Fingers crossed for Kevin. I guess the wording would have to be inspected very carefully to make sure these events would trigger the clause, if the reason it's been included is to protect from relegation rather than getting ejected from the whole league.

I must say there could be a silver lining for some fans (me) if they kick out the big 6 immediately, suddenly Leeds go from 10th to 4th. Champions League here we come

Feel a bit stupid mentioning this but one aspect I haven’t heard anyone discuss is the bloody carbon footprint of this. A European game, every single week?

We need to change the culture of hopping on a plane like we do a bus if we have any hope of addressing the climate crisis, and this kind of shit doesn’t help.

@00100001

Can some explain like I'm 5?

Why are all the fans, the government, UEFA etc up in arms?

Sorry.... Just not sure what the problem is?

The problem is that someone is taking their ball away because they think they will get more money that way. Those who are not in the gang with the ball and money are upset because they may lose out. Boris and his government presumably don't like it either because it is a populist bandwagon to jump onto, or more likely some of his cronies would lose out as a result.

The more I read. The more I feel the GA are actually just throwing their toys out of the cot, because it means they're going to lose out on millions.

They're going for the "this will kill grassroots" and ruin football trying to get the popular vote from the fans.

But actually, all it they're telling us, is they don't have confidence in their brand. If these teams pull out, they're saying that the Premiership and all that will crumble, essentially that they rely on the big names and lower teams aren't important/can't carry the leagues. Which means they'll see a loss in revenue and that's the real issue...

Surely there were similar complaints and concerns when the premier Division was created?

I guess the difference when Premier division and that was created is that it wasn't exclusive. Whereas from sounds this is. The teams in it can't go down..cant go up. This is what I dont get! What is the point. Apart from money which probably answers the question..

Enjoying the managers answering about it without being able to say how they feel..what they say is enough

@00100001

There are concerns about the effect on domestic leagues if the best teams are no longer involved. Plus the effect on international sides if those players are banned from World Cups and the Euros (both of these have been threatened).

And I think in England anyway, the idea that football, in spite of the money, is seen as a working class game where the clubs have very strong roots in their towns, cities and communities. I don't know where the ESL matches would all be played, but they won't all be in England with half of them at home. Suddenly that regularity, thousands of season ticket holders turning up every week, all gone. No games on Saturdays any more, just Wednesday night at some random ground in Europe that you can't afford to travel to, or can't get back from in time for work on Thursday. I think people see it as an assault on the culture of football in England and its place in society.

I am a Leeds fan so detest Man U, but even I would be sad to see them leave the PL. OK maybe Man U can go. And Chelsea. But I'd be sad about the rest.

As someone who is into football I don’t like the idea. My Spanish friends hate the idea as well (some support Madrid or atlético ). Bet florentino is happy being the president , hate that man ans everything that involves him

@MalteserGeezee

Anyone who thinks elite (ie, tier 1) football hasn't been "all about the money" for at least the last 25+ years is sadly deluding themselves. The Super League is just the logical next step in this journey.

Unless you support a lower division or non-league club, you've been an irrelevance to your team for years, a mere cash-cow for the latest strips, merch and overpriced tickets. There is no "trickle-down" economics in football beyond the crumbs off the top table the big teams are compelled to share.

This is an inevitable next step. I can't get too exercised about it, football has been declining from a fan's perspective since the early 90s. And I'd rather a balmy Wednesday evening in the San Siro than at a drizzly Hawthorns or similar! Maybe it won't be all bad?

^This.

Sorry, but I would rather watch Barca v Liverpool than The Baggies v Fulham.
🤷🏻‍♀️

I can't see our beloved Bale being happy about international football bans!

jgw1 well said.

The government could end the proposal very easily, far quicker than the football authorities. Pass a law (or even given it second reading) that allows the players at the clubs to declare participation in the league a breach of contract so they can move to another club on a free transfer.

I just want someone to tell me why the fuck Spurs are in there 🤣

I'm a Southampton supporter and I'm disgusted at the apparently "top 6" Spurs? Top 6?
I'll stick to my lower team thanks.

I'm surprised at Barcelona, I always thought they were a kind of mutual society, owned by the fans. I must be mistaken as surely they haven't chosen this.

Sorry, but I would rather watch Barca v Liverpool than The Baggies v Fulham.

You don't need a superleague for that, as long as both teams earn their place in either European league.

In my mind, the so called "big six" can go and create their own league but they can't continue to play domestically as well. This would mean the players wouldn't be eligible to play for their country.

It would create a far more interesting league for everyone else. However, I don't really see how you can have a super league without Bayern Munich. To me that shows its not about football.

I'd love to see how they decided who would join though. Only North West or London too. Leave them to it. It will be as good as the Chinese superleague.

@WeMarchOn

I'm a Southampton supporter and I'm disgusted at the apparently "top 6" Spurs? Top 6? I'll stick to my lower team thanks.

I howled when I saw it! Top 6 from where??

Well I’ve never watched the Baggies v Fulham but I have watched Baggies v Port Vale and it was a cracking match with lots of guts.

Crocidura

Earn it on the Pitch
Football is for the Fans

Classy from Leeds!

Actual top 6 English clubs of all time... (statistically)

1. Liverpool
2. Manchester United
3. Everton
4. Arsenal
5. Aston Villa
6. Manchester City

See ya Spurs and Chelsea! Sunderland are there before Chelsea, then Chelsea and Newcastle before Spurs.

Another part of this is that the pandemic has shown that people will still watch a game on tv with crowd noise on top and (literally) plastic fans in the stands. Before this there was a thought that you had to have the atmosphere of a real crowd. I’d still argue it’s true, the crowd noise on top never matches what you would hear at a match. The top and fro and the new chants for different players, and I hate coverage with no background. However people have paid for subscriptions to the channels.

A dreadful idea, though I’m not surprised at it.