The ESL has been touted as early as 2006 and has just been revisited by Perez
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/391216/Florentino-Perez-dreams-of-a-Euro-Super-League-instead-Real-Madrid-boss-in-threat-to-the-Prem.html

According to some sources the league will start in 2012 comprising of the following 24 clubs
Real Madrid FC
FC Barcelona
Sevilla FC
Valencia FC
Liverpool F.C.
Arsenal F.C.
Chelsea F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
A.C. Milan
Juventus F.C.
F.C. Internazionale Milano
A.S. Roma
FC Bayern Munich
BV Borussia Dortmund
Hertha BSC
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique de Marseille
Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
F.C. Porto
S.L. Benfica
AFC Ajax
PSV Eindhoven
Celtic F.C.
R.S.C. Anderlecht [/i]

For most of us with no vested interest or regional or national affiliations we welcome top flight football and clamour for the best product to be put out.

However this is a gamble and the risk is mitigated if there is a trillion dollar offer from Asian television companies sitting on the table. Why am I saying that?



Personally, I don't think it will happen. Why?

IMO, The EPL is the best prime league (BPL) and the most lucrative already. The CL (aka European 'super' league) exists already
with the usual premier leagues teams dominating the playoffs. The top 4 EPL teams garnered most of the spoils from EPL and CL matches. So why shouldn't they maintained the status quo?

If we replace the bottom teams (colored purple above) with the other 14 EPL teams don't you think we have a better product. The usual derbies and crosstown rivalries that stir and whip us (Citizens, Villans, Spurs, Pompey, Cottagers, Zebras, Toffees etc) into frenzies and passions. Like Citizens thumping the 2007 EPL champion.

OK. Your opinion however trivial is welcome here in this thread.

This post has been edited by niuchin: Jul 6 2009, 08:13 AM

i will welcome this move as i can see it's useless to have UEFA Champions League when the teams that entered the knockout round are almost the same each year.Having a super league will be good as it shows the different class that these clubs have with other clubs in the region or the nations.

but the con is lesser people will watch the nations' league game as they are less popular and companies might pull out from the league's sponsorship as it is less lucrative compared to the super league.

and TS suggestion for replacing the bottom team with another EPL team is not good for me.just let other team from other nation play.

This post has been edited by sickx: Jul 6 2009, 10:20 AM

On that bolded part, Spanish league also got some good midtable teams. They also have their own rivalries. So, no go with your idea.

No doubt it's a great idea but pity on those midtable and lower table clubs. As what sickx has mentioned, sponsorship and interests will cost them. And the nationality value will decrease too. Why? 6+5 rule will be not implemented for this league. Now, I wonder why does any of Blatter or Platini making a big fuss of this idea? Certainly, it would affect the 6+5 rule. Clubs would want to have the best players playing for them. Over inflated on player's prices.

This post has been edited by boxsystem: Jul 6 2009, 10:22 AM

So on top of playing in their respective domestic leagues, clubs are expected to travel around Europe to play league fixtures? Couple that with domestic cup competitions and you'll need a fairly large squad to remain competitive on all fronts then. I don't think we're far from that actually. If you think about it, clubs there days are in danger of losing their identities, with the influx of foreign influence, especially in England. Global boundaries are blurred and there are less restrictions regarding the number of foreign players allowed at clubs. It's why the 6+5 rule has been mooted. I'm not in favour as I believe the Champions League is fine the way it is but greed has no boundaries does it?

Perez's idea is actually to have 16 of the best European teams play in a tournament either similar to the current CL format or in a league format (which I would especially detest). His view is that there are too many meaningless games played especially in the group stages of the current CL.

Personally I'm not in favour for this one. I can see where Perez is coming from but I also prefer some romanticism whenever a small club gets the chance to pull off a shock win over the giants. Not to mention the excitement of their fans when a big club comes to visit their grounds. Or even when they get to visit the great stadiums around Europe.

Having a Super League like this will also almost guarantee that the gap between the rich and poor clubs will grow even larger. Maybe a compromise can be reached. Trim down the current CL a little if they need to. Otherwise it's fine left as it is.

I'm in favor actually but my only question: logistics.

How do you fit in extra 30 games into the schedule? The current CL format has it around 15-20 games depending on progress?

And winter breaks for some leagues, different starts and ends to the seasons? Will be a nightmare. Also, what happens to the bottom 2/3 clubs? Do they get 'relegated' in place of league winners from other leagues?

Impossible realistically. Which is I think it would probably be more like a mini version of the CL. Divide into 4 groups of 4 and have the top 2 teams qualify for the quarterfinal stage. Of course then UEFA would have to create another tournament for those who miss out on this "Super CL".

highly impossible this would be happen, it favour the big club and not the middle rank club
i think the current CL is good enough, balance between middle club and big club

Another league to strengthen the big clubs financially...Pity those middle/smaller club

Perez must be getting ideas from the gay couple.

This whole idea is a bullshit.It will affect not only the Premier league but other league as well.I can imagine a top 4 team in any league out there, fielding reserves to play against some bottom teams in league just to keep their players fresh in this European Super League because the price money is higher compared to national league...

i like this idea..

we still need to prove what the best team in europe..

and which that would be? RM or Arsenal?

Not practical. Obviously the fans would welcome more football being played, especially a chance to see their fav teams meet with the best of the best year in year out, but realistically it can't be done. The number of games involved would be staggering. As it is, the fixture lists for the big clubs are already jam packed. Throw in the international friendlies and qualifiers (considering how most of the players playing for these clubs represent their respective countries) and you'll be looking at a good 100+ games per season expected of your first team player. The only way it could be done is if the CL is scrapped in favor of this, but I don't see why they should.

this is let them to make more money for those clubs.

even though it is beyond reality, but i do think it is a great idea. wonder which is the best team in europe. for me, league is very fair from the knock out stage. because in league, every teams have to see other teams where in knock out stage, they dont. but how perez want to imply the idea with the domestic league still running. for me, it is beyond reality. but still, a great idea. many fans would love to see it for sure.

This post has been edited by -Y-: Jul 8 2009, 12:35 PM