Atlantic League

[Pretty Boy]

So basically the likes of Man Utd, Real Madrid and Juventus will get into the revamped Champions League every year regardless of whether it is on sporting merit?

Ok you can argue no one is missing out because they are 4 additional teams but it makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing.

[Since90+2]

Is this been confirmed by Uefa? That image looks like a cheap mockup that someone's put together.

[Oscar T Grouch]

That elite club line sums up modern football. It doesn't matter how well you play, it comes down to the budget you have at your disposal. Who wants to bet that those 'chosen' as elite clubs will be the richest clubs in Europe? Oops Real Madrid, you came 5th in your league this year, don't worry, you're an elite club, you get to enter anyway. All elite clubs will be from the top 4 leagues in Europe.

[DH1875]

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Money

Aye but is it just the case that there is a list of clubs or is that list added to every year.
Will England have more clubs on that list than the currently have champions league places.
Liverpool for example can just play a reserve team in EPL every week. Even if they finish 10th their still getting a champions league spot.

[The Modfather]

How long before the elite clubs are then guaranteed a quarter final space if they get put out. I know Scotland have benefited from it but all these new tournaments and the likes of the latest proposal will push me away from football more than anything.

[Lancs Harp]

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That elite club line sums up modern football. It doesn't matter how well you play, it comes down to the budget you have at your disposal. Who wants to bet that those 'chosen' as elite clubs will be the richest clubs in Europe? Oops Real Madrid, you came 5th in your league this year, don't worry, you're an elite club, you get to enter anyway. All elite clubs will be from the top 4 leagues in Europe.

plus Hearts obviously.

[DH1875]

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So basically the likes of Man Utd, Real Madrid and Juventus will get into the revamped Champions League every year regardless of whether it is on sporting merit?

Ok you can argue no one is missing out because they are 4 additional teams but it makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing.

Who are the elite clubs though. England will claim to have 7 or 8 elite clubs. They getting 8 champions league every year then Are half those clubs really bigger than the top 5/6 Italian or Spanish clubs.

[CMurdoch]

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So clubs who fail to qualify on merit will be given special dispensation because they will carry elite status. I wonder what will make them elite clubs..? If, and it’s not a very big if, it’s financial status that’s the whole thing humped.

It was humped as soon as corporations, investors and even governments realised there was lots of money and power in football and set about the task of getting it.
I stopped watching European football games not involving a Scottish team more than 5 years ago and stopped watching the EPL this season.
Neither holds any interest. Who wants to watch the Saudi Govt against McDonalds. It has no soul.

[Pretty Boy]

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Who are the elite clubs though. England will claim to have 7 or 8 elite clubs. They getting 8 champions league every year then Are half those clubs really bigger than the top 5/6 Italian or Spanish clubs.

There was an interview with a UEFA official a few years back discussing this very point. He waffled on about historic contributions and so on. He then came out and said Man Utd or AC Milan were arguably more deserving of a Champions League place than Leicester despite the latter actually being league champions at the time.

I think the basis for the choice will be any clubs from the old G14 group who fail to qualify. Perhaps with the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid added to the mix.

[EI255]

If its as boring as the CL then no thanks.

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[Lancs Harp]

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There was an interview with a UEFA official a few years back discussing this very point. He waffled on about historic contributions and so on. He then came out and said Man Utd or AC Milan were arguably more deserving of a Champions League place than Leicester despite the latter actually being league champions at the time.

I think the basis for the choice will be any clubs from the old G14 group who fail to qualify. Perhaps with the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid added to the mix.

They might base it on the old G14 but I think it would need a tweek. The original G14 were as follows:

Real Madrid
Barca
Man Utd
Liverpool
Inter
Juve
Milan
Marseille
PSG
Bayern
B. Dortmund
Ajax
PSV
Porto

With Arsenal Leverkusen Lyon and Valencia added later.

A few surprises in there I think in the context of today.

Personally I love football and cant even pass by a kids game in the park without stopping to watch. I love watching the Champions League the EPL and all the big leagues around Europe. It doesnt detract in anyway my support for Hibs. As someone put in an earlier post supporting Hibs (and others supporting our contemporaries) is soulful doesn't mean I cant enjoy football played by the best players at the top of the game.

[Pagan Hibernia]

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Wonder who decides and more importantly what makes you an elite club.

a plaza

[DH1875]

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They might base it on the old G14 but I think it would need a tweek. The original G14 were as follows:

Real Madrid
Barca
Man Utd
Liverpool
Inter
Juve
Milan
Marseille
PSG
Bayern
B. Dortmund
Ajax
PSV
Porto

With Arsenal Leverkusen Lyon and Valencia added later.

A few surprises in there I think in the context of today.

Personally I love football and cant even pass by a kids game in the park without stopping to watch. I love watching the Champions League the EPL and all the big leagues around Europe. It doesnt detract in anyway my support for Hibs. As someone put in an earlier post supporting Hibs (and others supporting our contemporaries) is soulful doesn't mean I cant enjoy football played by the best players at the top of the game.

The thing about that list is that there are no Man City, Chelsea or even spurs on it. No Atletico Madrid or Roma on it. I'd also argue that Benfica are just as big if not bigger than Porto.

[Lancs Harp]

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The thing about that list is that there are no Man City, Chelsea or even spurs on it. No Atletico Madrid or Roma on it. I'd also argue that Benfica are just as big if not bigger than Porto.

Exactly what I was alluding to in saying it would need tweeking.

[Ozyhibby]

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The thing about that list is that there are no Man City, Chelsea or even spurs on it. No Atletico Madrid or Roma on it. I'd also argue that Benfica are just as big if not bigger than Porto.

Why would Spurs be on it anyway? They never win anything?
No matter what, there will be big clubs not included.

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[DH1875]

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Exactly what I was alluding to in saying it would need tweeking.

Tweaking, they need to rip it up and start again. Add in the teams I mention and that's 24 teams. That's leaves only 12 places for everyone else, other countries and that isn't even taking into consideration that a different team from England or Spain.
They maybe get away with a list of 8 or 10 elite teams but no one is ever agreeing on who they 10 teams should be.

[Pretty Boy]

The thing with the group of elite teams is the vast majority on any hypothetical list are irrelevant because they will qualify the traditional way. It's all about who that 4 additional teams will be.

Of the 14 team list above how many won't qualify for the CL this year? Marseille and Dortmind are the most likely. Of the other clubs mentioned the likes of Man City and Chelsea go close most years. Benfica are in the running.

Those additional 4 places are always going to go to one of the traditional big guns that miss out. In a year where they all qualify then the likes of Spurs might get a look in. If it's a toss up between Man Utd and Spurs and there's one place left then it's going to Manchester regardless of just about any other factor, including league position.

[lord bunberry]

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The thing with the group of elite teams is the vast majority on any hypothetical list are irrelevant because they will qualify the traditional way. It's all about who that 4 additional teams will be.

Of the 14 team list above how many won't qualify for the CL this year? Marseille and Dortmind are the most likely. Of the other clubs mentioned the likes of Man City and Chelsea go close most years. Benfica are in the running.

Those additional 4 places are always going to go to one of the traditional big guns that miss out. In a year where they all qualify then the likes of Spurs might get a look in. If it's a toss up between Man Utd and Spurs and there's one place left then it's going to Manchester regardless of just about any other factor, including league position.

If Benfica are in the running Celtic will fancy their chances.

[Ozyhibby]

Everyone talking about who should and shouldn’t be in the elite group rather than whether it should be happening at all shows how easily it will go through.


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[Smartie]

It’ll be funny as f*** if Celtic get in and Rangers don’t though.

[DH1875]

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Why would Spurs be on it anyway? They never win anything?
No matter what, there will be big clubs not included.

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They shouldn't. Bet your bottom dollar there will be someone somewhere pushing them through as elite though.

[Wakeyhibee]

Hate the idea, but if they do pass it, it will implode within 20 years. I cant see fans of an elite side watching when they're failing in the competition and a domestically de valued league.

If it switches off fans, the TV revenue goes with it.

[ian cruise]

I suspect the only reason to offer the elite club carrot is because they know it'll never get agreed by the clubs. If they're determined to trying squeeze more non champions clubs in they should treat it like the cycling grand tours tennis and golf tournaments and offer up wildcard places.

[Hibbyradge]

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Hate the idea, but if they do pass it, it will implode within 20 years. I cant see fans of an elite side watching when they're failing in the competition and a domestically de valued league.

If it switches off fans, the TV revenue goes with it.

I think it would get stronger and stronger. The fans of individual clubs won't matter compared to the global audience and the colossal money which will be on offer.

[Ozyhibby]

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I think it would get stronger and stronger. The fans of individual clubs won't matter compared to the global audience and the colossal money which will be on offer.

Yip. It’s where the very best players will be and it will be on TV globally. Kids will grow up supporting these teams hundreds of miles away from where they live.


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[CMurdoch]

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Yip. It’s where the very best players will be and it will be on TV globally. Kids will grow up supporting these teams hundreds of miles away from where they live.


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That is a sad thought.
Corporate global product.

[franck sauzee]

The proposal I read was that the semi finalists of each competition would automatically qualify for next year's competition. The details were very sketchy but my presumption was that their slot would then go to the next team in their league

[Wakeyhibee]

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I think it would get stronger and stronger. The fans of individual clubs won't matter compared to the global audience and the colossal money which will be on offer.

I can see it going almost franchised and soulless which will be attractive worldwide regardless. Kids already support Eurooes teams wirldwide. What I dont see is the support structure underneath. You might even see a total split.

[Ozyhibby]

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I can see it going almost franchised and soulless which will be attractive worldwide regardless. Kids already support Eurooes teams wirldwide. What I dont see is the support structure underneath. You might even see a total split.

It’s a total split that UEFA are trying to avoid which is why every year they give them more and more and to make sure this keeps happening the big clubs leak rumours of a split every few months.
The end game is a Euro league which elite clubs can’t be relegated from.


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[Since90+2]

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If Benfica are in the running Celtic will fancy their chances.

Nah, Benfica are bigger than Celtic by about every measure. It's only the Glasgow based media here that try to make us believe otherwise.