11 Feb 2018 13:52:10
Q for Ed2
Regarding this break away league (sorry im sure your sick thus already) is there anything to stop the cubs who leave for the new European league from buying small teams near them and use them has a feeder club? Couldn't Man utd buy (example Bury) put them in matching kits with diff sponsors send all their youths their and potentially play their games in old Trafford to maximise returns? Because a 16-team euro league would only be 30 games a season 15 home games initially, its not a lot for fans. And if that is a possibility wouldn't it be better to leave them in the prem and let them effectively run two different teams? If the FA restricted them to only field 3 foreign players or all home-grown players, it could benefit home nations? It all sounds horrible whatever happens im just thinking out loud really. Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - Unfortunately Jim the rules block that as they stand. It was thought that a possible option to move in that direction might have resulted from a potential landmark decision that UEFA were to make in June or July 2017 - and that could have facilitated the ownership of lower-tier sides by the more senior sides and then work as a feeder club. However – the need to make that decision was avoided so there is no change just yet. But eventually it will need to be allowed or clubs will start going down the pan. Two things which certainly would not happen is Bury taking Manchester United place in the PL and the stadium issue is one that has already been addressed by the group of teams in response to a question asked by Celta Vigo in response to (a) whether the Real Madrid and Barcelona "B" sides would be allowed promotion to La Liga if both sides departed, and (b) if they would be allowed to move from their existing stadia and move in to the Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou.}

1.) 11 Feb 2018
11 Feb 2018 15:16:44
Thanks for the reply Ed
I didn't mean a feeder club taking their place in the league I just mean if they had a feeder club that feeder club would eventually end up in the premier league. And also would the previous rules not apply to them anymore if they broke away? Would they not be out on their own in regards to the FA or UEFA?

{Ed002's Note - There would be no provision to do it - no one is looking to try and cheat the system.}

2.) 11 Feb 2018
11 Feb 2018 15:34:40
Great ED002 thanks
Could I just get your expert opinion on one final matter, If their was a backlash across Europe and the vast majority of fans boycotted it, would it make any difference? Thanks for all your work.

{Ed002's Note - The fans welcome it Jim. A number of the clubs have spoken with their fan groups and, aside from one who have said they won't be joing the league, it has been well received.}

3.) 11 Feb 2018
11 Feb 2018 20:56:28
What fans Ed? Do Liverpool fans? Liverpool fans crave for their club to be competing with the best yet when you suggest that the club might not even be invited you just expect Liverpool fans on here to simply embrace the idea as a wonderful one and just get over it? It's an absolutely terrible idea that will suck the soul right out of football, it's only a good idea to those with dollar signs in their eyes.

{Ed002's Note - Sorry, where did I say all of that?}

4.) 12 Feb 2018
12 Feb 2018 02:16:51
Things you have suggested:

- breakaway league is a good idea
- Liverpool likely won't be involved
- you want everyone to be supposedly reasonable and embrace it because it "makes financial sense" and is supposedly the way forward. Fat chance Ed.

5.) 12 Feb 2018
12 Feb 2018 09:54:15
Think you ve made part 1 and 3 up Nicky. Don’t recall ed giving his opinion on whether it was a good idea, asked no one to embrace it and just said the facts. Yes it probably would make financial sense for those involved. No need to throw your toys out of your Pram.