By Tony Attwood
The European Club Association, of which Arsenal were a member and of which Vinai Venkatesham was a member, is losing the clubs that have proposed the new independent midweek league.
Manchester United have also resigned from the ECA and Ed Woodward has stepped down from his role with UEFA where he was on the board of the Professional Football Strategy Council.
This follows the European Club Association saying they are ‘strongly opposed’ to European Super League proposals as twelve clubs fail to attend ’emergency meeting’ called by the ECA.
Tottenham has also left the ECA, and we also hear that Mourinho has been sacked by Tottenham. Not sure if this is because of his results, or his personal opposition to the new mid-week super league. Certainly his results have not been of the best
| Date | Game | Res | Score | Competition |
| 14 Mar 2021 | Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 2-1 | Premier League |
| 18 Mar 2021 | Dinamo Zagreb v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 3-0 | Europa League |
| 21 Mar 2021 | Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur | W | 0-2 | Premier League |
| 04 Apr 2021 | Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur | D | 2-2 | Premier League |
| 11 Apr 2021 | Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United | L | 1-3 | Premier League |
| 16 Apr 2021 | Everton v Tottenham Hotspur | D | 2-2 | Premier League |
Meanwhile back on planet somewhere else…
PSG and Bayern Munich are the only two of the clubs who have been invited to be part of the superleague breakaway have turned down the idea.
The ECA statement has said, “In light of today’s reports on the subject of a so-called breakaway league, ECA as the body representing 246 leading clubs across Europe, reiterates its stated commitment to working on developing the UEFA club competitions (UCCs) model with UEFA for the cycle beginning 2024 and that a ‘closed super league model’ to which media articles refer would be strongly opposed by ECA.
The issue now is whether any of the breakaway clubs have actually broken any FA or Premier League rules in joining a new competition without FA or Premier League approval. I suspect that they have but I don’t keep the rule books by my desk so can’t quote for certain.
But if they have then the FA or the League would have the option of throwing out the six English clubs that have signed up to the new league.
The Daily Mail has an interesting twist in the saga…
“Boris vows to BLOCK plans for European Super League and furious football fans slam ‘greedy’ American billionaires and banks trying to ‘tear up the beautiful game’.”
The Mail adds later that Prime Minister Boris J, “said the European Super League was not ‘good news for fans’ and he would work with the football authorities ‘to make sure this doesn’t go ahead in the way that it’s currently being proposed’. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden will make a statement in the Commons on the Super League plans on Monday afternoon.”
Not quite sure how the government of the UK can do anything, but huffing and puffing Boris always makes good TV.
Fifa, Uefa and the Premier League have already threatened the 12 clubs with expulsion from all major competitions and promised to ban their top players from playing for their countries.
More anon…
Not sure if this is because of his results, or his personal opposition to the new mid-week super league.
Cheeky!
How can you call something a “Super league” when the spuds are in it????
RIP Arsenal FC 1886 – 2021
Exactly my thoughts , Walter ! The Spuds have not won anything major, other than the St. Totteringham’s Day cup of late , and even that is not recognised outside N. London !
My fear is somebody may have the bright idea to put forward Mourhinho as our next manager !
No PSG. No Bayern. That’s a huge absence.
No consultation with fans.
Clubs have to be owned by fans.
If the new league comes to pass , we might get really good refs .
Bye , bye PIGMOB , and your 98 % correct decisons .
I for one would love the Englush refs to stay loyal , and at home !
I must say I find it hilarious when I hear these pundits banging on about the greedy owners saying it’s all about money when they quite happily stood buy, and indeed cashed in when Roman Abramovic filled Chelsea’s and their coffers with bucket loads of oil money.
And all I’ve heard about all season is Man City’s now defunct quadruple attempt which has been built on the back of £1 billion, yes ONE BILLION POUNDs (Nett) spent on players these past 10 years.
I don’t want to get in to the rights and wrongs of that but for any of these pundits that have been riding the gravy train that’s been fuelled massively by these Billionaire owners is hypocritical in the extreme.
Arsenal to our credit actually tried to build our club on a self sustaining model and look where that got us. Not only did we fall away from the billionaire clubs but this very same media actually endlessly mocked us for doing it.
Gary Neville and the rest can shove their hypocritical whinging up their a***
Personally, I am not in favour of it.
The idea of a closed shop puts up a barrier between smaller clubs and bigger clubs, though the mad money spent by the sovereign fund clubs has already done that. I have always loved the FA Cup because it is open to all senior clubs and this breakaway attempt only enhances my sentiments. I like the motivation of moving up a division (or down) and suspect that we may move to a situation where smaller clubs become farm clubs for larger clubs (like in the US) as Manchester City is already doing with purchases around the globe.
On the plus side, perhaps something will be done to clean up the game. Nothing like a good crisis to have truths flung about, by accident.
Whatever you may think of UEFA and FIFA, they are just skimming the top if you like when it comes to corruption etc. They still make sure a large chunk of money goes to grassroots.
There is a reason these clubs have gone behind everyones back, including all supporter unions. Because they knew it wouldn’t be welcome. I am disheartened and appalled of how KSE and the rest of these owners have mistreated all the fans and staff (including players).
It is up to us fans to make our voices heard, and I have never seen so many united fanbases. My family and I are giving up our season tickets (4) if Arsenal go through with this. I know a few others that will follow.
Football is corrupt and is all about the money. Has been for a long time. The club owners are greedy. Sure they are. But don’t pretend that FIFA and UEFA are charity foundations… they are just as greedy as the club owners. It is most of all : who takes most out of the coffers that are filled with money (for as long as there is money in them…)All involved in football are greedy. Except us supporters…. we just support our coulours and our club. That is all we can do.
Having said what I said above doesn’t mean I’m in favour of it because I’m not.
I’m just saying, when Arsenal said We’re not going to have a sugar daddy, we are going to live within our means, I don’t remember a single pundit saying “Well done Arsenal”. “Good on you”.
When Arsenal where operating on a zero net spend I don’t remember a single pundit pointing that out and sympathising with our plight in trying to battle with 3 clubs spending £30 Million plus a season on transfers alone.
It was endless criticism. Endless piss taking. 4th is not a trophy.
Apparently we were told, if you DON’T have a sugar daddy spending 100’s of millions of pounds on players for you, you have no ambition.
So back then, and even up till now, having a bottomless pit of money was/is to be admired. So what’s changed ? Why the high and mighty attitude? Why is THIS pursuit of the buck different to the one Man City and Chelsea have pursued these last 10 years or so ?
I’ll tell you what’s changed. Perhaps they’re just a bit worried it might not end up in their pockets !!
But again, as I say, I’m very much against it. FIFA needed bringing down but this isn’t the way to do it and as Tony intimates, ultimately it may even help them as they could come across as the saviours, if you can believe that. Oh the Irony
Staggering levels of hypocrisy. Very reminiscent of cricket with the Packer induced reforms that led to cricket eventually prospering massively.
Why is football so afraid of change? Is it the vested interests?
Football is all about greed and money now. Competition is compromised massively now- by Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG and Madrid and Barca ‘s monopolistic behaviour.
Greed before the game – utter rubbish – Eufa opposing progress – not for the first time.
Quite why the billionaire loving corrupt Tory government are opposed only they know. Perhaps it’s because grass roots football is crying out for democratic reform and public investment they are opposed to.
To borrow the end of Terry Southern’s novel ‘The Magic Christian’ a giant vat of feces with a lit burner below it is bubbling away, the vat is filled as well with dollars, there’s a huge sign above the vat flashing on and off saying ”Free Money”and the whole shebang of football are on ladders trying to get their hands on the loot, except the fans, who ain’t been asked, because they’re not important, because they don’t push themselves forward, because they’ve got families to raise, and so it goes.
The whole nonsense that someone can ‘own’ a football club just cannot stand the light of day.
Where this all ends I don’t know.
Of course, I know where I stand on this, same as most of the rest of us here. Even as I shudder to see Johnson, Infantino and all the rest of the sleazy corrupt scum standing on the same side. Or appearing to, who can tell with that lot.
But what I feel most of all is shame, shame that my club, our club, is led by greedy shitbags who see Arsenal as just another number in their investment portfolio.
Whatever happened to The Arsenal Way?
Walter,
You have never written a truer state of affairs.
FIFA and the UEFA have set the lesson of greed and now the pigs are learning.
Correct me if I am wrong but wasn’t there a lot of moaning about the Breakaway Premier League. Looks like the fans and the Sweet FA had to swallow that one. I think the idea of banning the clubs involved is counter productive to the Leagues in question as it weakens them and reduces their tv value. From the commercial perspective there is less revenue to be made, so I think it further compounds the problem rather than solving it. I do agree with Brickfields Gunners, Bye bye pigmob. I remain cautious though. As they say careful what you wish for.
My first comment for a very long time.
In 19 days time I was expecting to celebrate 50 years as an Arsenal supporter. Have been to well over a thousand games. Even the Burnley match this season! Supported Arsenal at many grounds and in quite a few countries. Enjoyed several league titles and far more FA cups. Even a European trophy and a couple of League Cups. Many downs as well – but that is part of the package. Good times and bad.
Football has changed out of all recognition during this time. A lot of the tradition has gone, but the quality of the game has gone up. Although the greed and corruption has got worse. However, it has always been the case that trophies and qualifications have been based on sporting merit – more or less. Teams like Barnsley, Huddersfield and Hull have been in the Premier League. Wigan have won the FA Cup. Even Spurs have won the League Cup!
But entry into the ESL is not through sporting merit. And relegation for the elite is not possible. This crosses a line for me.
First test is whether or not we get slung out of the EL on Friday. If we do, then I won’t make it to 50 years. If the ESL actually happens then it won’t be far past 50. Season ticket won’t be renewed. That will be that.
The even bigger tragedy is that the ESL will fail, just as Packer’s circus did (referencing the above comment). But Arsenal will then be a pariah club. What on earth has happened to all our history and tradition that we have always been so proud of – as paraded at the FA Cup Final against Chelsea on a giant banner?
For me personally, this is a tragedy – and something I never thought would happen in my lifetime. Arsenal Football Club 1886-1921. RIP.
I tend to agree with Nitram , that I too was hoping that The Arsenal would rise again by being fair and by its own sweat and toil. That we develop our own players from the youth system , and the support of our own loyal fans , and that we give a good old tilt at those who had received a silver spoon up theirs !
I rejoiced when we planned and built our own stadium , even though it meant some season were bare , and we had to wheel and deal to survive. When AW did it against all the odds , we were ceremoniously told that ,” Fourth in not a trophy “! And that we should follow the prevailing trend and spend some more money . Have we forgotten all that ?
We had to listen to morons degrading our club while the bloody PIGMOB did its worst. Not to mention those ex-Liverpool and ex-Manchester Utd players laughing at us . I love to see them being taken down quite a few pegs. I would really ” Luv it ‘ to see them grovel when their food is taken off the table .
And what is this new support for FIFA , UEFA , FA and the EPL ? Weren’t they crap before ? Remind me when they had the interest of the beautiful game in mind . I may be getting on in age , but I never forget .
I would be very disappointed if the old wine is poured into a brand new poisoned chalice . Be careful for what you wish for .
Up the Gunners ! Always !
The real deal.
Four CEO’s of beer companies were invited to play in a charity golf tournament. They were very serious on the course, arguing over rules violations and accusing each other of cheating. After the 18th hole they decided to make peace and go in the clubhouse for a drink.
The CEO of Budweiser orders a Bud Light.
The CEO of Miller orders a Miller Lite.
The CEO of Coors orders a Coors Light.
The CEO of Guinness orders a Coke.
The three CEOS then ask him, why aren’t you ordering a Guinness?
He replies: “If you guys aren’t drinking beer then neither will I.”
Nitram, Brickfields, I’m with you in as far as the whole bunch of Associations and overseas owners are corrupt. The sporting clubs that were originally funded by ordinary folk and claimed the game have been sold to the greedy rich.
The clubs may be owned by wealth but the supporters are the freedom that are the ultimate owners of the soul of the club. It is time to nationalise the clubs and insist the shareholders must be tax paying resident British nationals and not exiles avoiding UK tax.
Far too much abuse of British protection is made by non resident tax evading people. Those together with the criminals from abroad who have robbed their nations and claim refuge in UK need to be called out and deported to face justice.