drunken slob
Footballguy
Juventus (JVTSF) down to $1 on the OTC Market, I'm going in for a big pile tomorrow morningMcBokonon said:
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ramsay Hunt Experience
- Start date
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Interesting half time talk here of the Chelsea game.
One of the desk jockeys is saying that the clubs are legally bound to the ESL contract they signed and have to figure out how to get out it.
I wonder if Florez tied financial penalties into it......
One of the desk jockeys is saying that the clubs are legally bound to the ESL contract they signed and have to figure out how to get out it.
I wonder if Florez tied financial penalties into it......
Desert_Power
Footballguy
It's been reported today that Barcelona would not have to pay a fee should the club members vote it down (presumably the same would hold for Real Madrid).
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Official from City now
==================
[Manchester City] Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
==================
[Manchester City] Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
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Yup - this new league was always about a global TV audience that would dwarf any in-stadium audience.
Dinsy Ejotuz
Footballguy
LFC statement: LFC can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a ESL has been discontinued. In recent days, the club received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we'd like to thank them for their valuable contributions
I know its fashionable to root against Spurs - something about annoying Spurs fans on the board - but tomorrow, its worth the effort.
Ryan Mason - who has been with Spurs for 20 years - since he was 9 - will take charge of the club, as the youngest Manager in PL history (I think).
Mason had to retire from the game a few years ago after a brutal head collision in a game, and has been back at Spurs coaching the Academy players and U23s, and now will get to manage the team for the rest of the season - including an improbable League Cup final on Sunday.
Spurs have had a miserable season, and this last week has just heaped more dung on the season - but it should be refreshing to see if Mason can unleash the anti-Jose in Spurs. (Albeit Kane is injured).
Sorry in advance to my GB @roadkill1292
Ryan Mason - who has been with Spurs for 20 years - since he was 9 - will take charge of the club, as the youngest Manager in PL history (I think).
Mason had to retire from the game a few years ago after a brutal head collision in a game, and has been back at Spurs coaching the Academy players and U23s, and now will get to manage the team for the rest of the season - including an improbable League Cup final on Sunday.
Spurs have had a miserable season, and this last week has just heaped more dung on the season - but it should be refreshing to see if Mason can unleash the anti-Jose in Spurs. (Albeit Kane is injured).
Sorry in advance to my GB @roadkill1292
DJackson10
Footballguy
From reading it sounds like Liverpool and ManU the two big clubs who are the leaders in this "F'd this up" according to multiple sources. Clubs feel like they were led on and lied too. Also from an old source I have who isn't affiliated with anyone just has a few sources in the EPL said both of these clubs are the main reason the Saudi Takeover at Newcastle didn't go through.NewlyRetired said:
Liverpool is trying to save face by pulling out.
Both Milan clubs are pulling out Looks like this isn't happening anymore.
DJackson10
Footballguy
But Arsenal and Spurs should be? Also most of these elite clubs from EPL entering this only became elite after Financial takeovers not 10 yrs ago. Barca/Madrid/Both Milans/Liverpool/ManU some of these clubs haven't done much in the last decade have more of an argument to be here then the likes of Arsenal and Spurs who could be looked at as the redheaded Step Childs of the group.Desert_Power said:
DJackson10
Footballguy
The problem isn't the change it's video games. A lot of the "fans" they want to appease too are casuals/bandwagon supporters. They're your Typical American NBA fan too. Fan of the player not the club and the minute said player switches club so does their allegiance.NewlyRetired said:
Are there rule changes I'd like to see implemented in the sport? Absolutely especially changing the offside rule, putting in a salary cap, etc. Shortening matches because most of the fans they want to appease to need constant brain stimulation and ignorant to the game to begin with isn't where I think these clubs to lay their sword on. They are literally trying to appease to basically my one buddy who a few yrs ago I took to a Union Match vs Columbus. We ha got MF tickets about 5 rows back from the on pitch VIP section on the TV side of the field. We saw the Union win 4-1, a Crew player Straight RC, a PK for the Union and a ton of action. My buddy said he was still bored the whole match. How in God's name after all of that can he still be bored? If that isn't gonna do the trick how do they expect shortening games to drive in fans?
OH YEAH WE ALSO RAN INTO THEN UNION TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND FORMER USMNT PLAYER ERNIE STEWART WHO SHOOK OUR HANDS!!!!! And we shared a few beers and hung out with the SoBs after the match. All of that and he still said he didn't have fun? Right then and there I knew who wasn't going to World Cup Matches here in Philly if we ever got matches and I got good tickets.
DJackson10
Footballguy
This has been an idea since the mid 2000s. There was secrete Email leaks from about 5-8 yrs ago between some of the aforementioned clubs about it back then.Sinn Fein said:
DJackson10
Footballguy
Outside the NCAA that is true. They are basically organized crime ringsNewlyRetired said:@Dinsy Ejotuzmentioned this yesterday but the whole thing is bizarre. Teams as despicable as PSG are being made to look good
FIFA and UEFA are arguably the two most corrupt organizations in sports and most seem to be on their side.
It is very unsettling
DJackson10
Footballguy
You also would get the Milan Derby constantlyB Maverick said:
However yes you're right. I didn't mind watching Phillies vs Mets every year but last year I really missed not watching them play the AL West or Central. I remember going to a Phillies game vs Sea when Griffey and ARod were there (Two of my favorite players) and how excited I was to see these guys I don't see a lot in person. Now imagine if I had to watch that 80 times a year? Ruins that effect.
DJackson10
Footballguy
Went to the Inaugural Home Open for the Philly Union that was played at the Linc because our home pitch wasn't gonna be ready in June. Well Security was super tight as then VP Joe Biden a big Philly Sports fan was a special guest at the match. I got there with my buddy who had gotten Union Season tickets and 20 mins into the match a couple comes in and asks "did we miss 20 mins of this already?" Yes yes you did. They were surprised. I think a few people that day had a bit of a shock with how fast the match came and went. One of the reasons I like Soccer's set up is I know I can plan my day around the matches. If Newcastle and Milan are both playing the Same day and say Newcastle is playing in the morning at 8 or 9 I know by 10 or 11 I will be done. Milan doesn't start till 2:45 I know the match is by 5. I can have dinner and say it's a Saturday I know I got from 5 on available. If I get lucky and Milan plays at noon I know I got most of my afternoon available. You don't really get that in other sportsB Maverick said:
DJackson10
Footballguy
These fans didn't have an issue with all these Saudi owners and big business company types taking over clubs and spending well over debt for lack luster results that crush these clubs financially if they don't make Europe or win league and cup. I didn't see them complaining like they did when PSG spent over 150M Euros for Mbappe or Chelsea spending 30M on Hazard who hadn't proven much other than the could play in a weak league at the time?Sammy3469 said:
So to me this argument is BS. These clubs got no issue taking these elite clubs money when they need to stay afloat and transfer their good young players to keep the club afloat and raise profits while trying to stay competitive domestically.
I did see most of these Elite EPL clubs throw a temper tantrum the minute a club like Newcastle was about to have a Saudi Takeover because they were worried about having more competition.
DJackson10
Footballguy
Heard their director sent in his resignation. James Milner yesterday said players of these clubs found out about this the same way as the general public. A lot of players on all sides were no happy. Sassulo manager said he didn't want to lead his team out tomorrow vs Milan but would if the club forced him to as he was so disgustedencaitar said:
DJackson10
Footballguy
I think most US and Mexican fans are for the merger. I wasn't at first and have a few negative sentiments about it already including how much more travel is involved now going to Mexico and the US and Canada for matches. However I think most fans welcome the competition. They just aren't sure yet how this will end up working without oversaturation of clubs without some sort of Pro/Rel format.NewlyRetired said:
DJackson10
Footballguy
I read outside of Arsenal, AC Milan had the least amount of debt amongst the clubs. The ironic thing about these two clubs is CEO Ivan Gazidis was a former Arsenal man who now works with AC Milan and has done a great job with Elliot to get back in the black and level the booksencaitar said:I saw a stat earlier today that showed that Chelsea was the only team among the 12 in the Super League that reported no debt last year. Man City was second lowest with only like $30M in debt. The rest, especially Tottenham, Real Madrid, and Barca had run up huge amounts of debt.
It was clear that Man City and Chelsea didn't need the money and I don't doubt that the reports that they were practically strong-armed into joining to begin with were accurate. Once they saw their fans negative reaction it's not surprising that their decisions were quickly reversed. It'll be interesting to see if this does anything to change the majority of English fans' opinions on those two ownership groups.... hell, maybe Roman can use this to get his UK visa back.
DJackson10
Footballguy
I know I didn'tCletiusMaximus said:
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
You were not informed well then I fear. Most people who learned the details of the case realized how ridiculous the suit was (which was why it was thrown out of court).
DJackson10
Footballguy
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.NewlyRetired said:
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
IS Arsenal the only one who said "I done ####ed up"?
========================
Arsenal
@Arsenal
As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League. We made a mistake, and we apologize for it.
========================
Arsenal
@Arsenal
As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League. We made a mistake, and we apologize for it.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
DJackson10
Footballguy
Interesting statement from Curva Sud Milan Leave it to the Curva to put mutal blame all around and not mince words. No one was safe in this statement. The Clubs involved and both FIFA AND UEFA were part of the vitriol anger from them
"Milan ultras group Curva Sud released a statement that did not specifically condemn the Super League plan, but rather claimed the outrage is ‘hypocritical.’
While fans at Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and others are all protesting angrily in the hours since the project was announced, Italian supporters have been relatively quiet.
Juventus fans hung up one banner outside the stadium complaining their history was being ‘bartered and commercialised,’ pointedly including an image of the old logo."
"Milan ultras group Curva Sud released a statement that did not specifically condemn the Super League plan, but rather claimed the outrage is ‘hypocritical.’
While fans at Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and others are all protesting angrily in the hours since the project was announced, Italian supporters have been relatively quiet.
Juventus fans hung up one banner outside the stadium complaining their history was being ‘bartered and commercialised,’ pointedly including an image of the old logo."
DJackson10
Footballguy
Instead of the International Contanental Cup (ICC) played every summer why not bring in the super league? Top clubs from each of the big leagues England, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Germany and then invite a few clubs from the smaller leagues, Russia, Belgium, MLS/Mexico, SA teams. Who wouldn't want to See Messi and Barca face Messi's childhood club Bocca Juniors? Benfica and Everton vs his Gremio club? ManU vs LA Galaxy or inter Miami?
El Floppo
Footballguy
I thought the ICC thing died before covid hit...but obviously I could be misremembering.
I don't think adding even more games to these guys calendars will work...especially if they're games that are supposed to mean anything.
Either the ESL merges somehow with the CL, or the fat lady is singing.
DJackson10
Footballguy
Don't think the ICC died. I think they were trying to figure out a way to make it more lucrative for clubs. I don't mind a preseason tournament of sorts though. A great way to see your clubs younger players get some match time in a first team environment and for us we get matches that are actually televised we can watch.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
People were joking today that in 5 years UEFA will announce something that looks a hell of lot like the Super League but only under their financial control.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
It was not dead but it was dying. The attendances on average have been dropping year after year.
It took a while but American's finally figured out that watching the Liverpool stars for 5 minutes before numbers 78-89 subbed in was not worth the cost.
It will be interesting to see what form it comes back in and whether fans will buy into the most meaningless of friendlies.
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DJackson10
Footballguy
The issue was it also wasn't going to a lot of newer cities. Always the same cities. I think here in Philly we got two matches the whole time it was around and it drew well. You keep showing the same clubs in Boston, Mia, LA, SEA year after year they will get bored of it quickly. Liverpool always played in Boston for obvious reasons. I remember in order to see Milan the one year I'd have had to go to East Rutherford, NJ which is a trip in itself to watch and it wasn't worth it without a car or anyone to go with. Minny got more matches then Philly/DC and hardly I'd call Minny soccer fever. Now my own county in PA is big Crazy on Soccer. We showed how crazy we are when the USWNT showed up for a friendly after the WC and we had record attendance for a Women's friendly in the US.
Milan was in it yearly because the ICC president is a big Milan supporter so at the very least it was nice knowing I got to watch a few friendly Milan matches before the new campaign started.
Another problem was it was played every year so the years Euros or the World Cup took place most of the big names took more time off because the time they would've had was spent at these major international tournaments. If they had this on the off years you could see more bigger names involved too. So like after the World Cup in '26, 2027 you have the ICC, '28 you got Euros, ICC '29 and 2030 is Euros again.
El Floppo
Footballguy
The problem I had was what Andy said, but coupled with prices that went from- oh, cool... I can go see CRo play for not much more than a couple of movie tickets ($20+ per, here) to I can feed the kids, or go see CRo for a few minutes.
If the prices had stayed lower, I'd be more interested.
If the prices had stayed lower, I'd be more interested.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Looks like Inter is the next off the sinking ship
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"As things stand, the Super League project is no longer considered to be of interest to Inter," club sources told Italian news agency ANSA.
==============
"As things stand, the Super League project is no longer considered to be of interest to Inter," club sources told Italian news agency ANSA.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Here is the Super League's statement. I wonder when they are going to realize a meaningless court ruling in Madrid (who may be on the Real payroll for all we know) would have any effect on the English government's ability to throw any of multiple wrenches in the cogs to render the EPL teams flaccid?
IMO, it was the government going all in so quickly that made the English teams realize how bad they misread the plan.
=====================================
"Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due the pressure out on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations as was demonstrated today by a court decision to protect the Super League from third party actions," it read.
IMO, it was the government going all in so quickly that made the English teams realize how bad they misread the plan.
=====================================
"Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due the pressure out on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations as was demonstrated today by a court decision to protect the Super League from third party actions," it read.
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CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I’ve been to a few of those exhibitions many years ago. Never again. The players are at half speed at best, completely disinterested. No atmosphere at all. I paid a ton of money (for me) to see Leo Messi play in the Copa Centenario a few years ago. I think that tournament was probably the only time he’s played in competitive games in North America. He scored a second half hat trick against Panama in Chicago and it was worth every penny to see that with my son, but I wouldn’t pay a nickel to see him play in an ICC game.
DJackson10
Footballguy
Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
#SuperLeague has been officially SUSPENDED - English clubs have left (Chelsea too, official soon). - Inter have left, AC Milan are set to leave. - Juventus and Spanish clubs: waiting for official position. The whole #SuperLeague has been stopped to “reshape the project”.
@FabrizioRomano
#SuperLeague has been officially SUSPENDED - English clubs have left (Chelsea too, official soon). - Inter have left, AC Milan are set to leave. - Juventus and Spanish clubs: waiting for official position. The whole #SuperLeague has been stopped to “reshape the project”.
Wait... you are telling me that @The Gatorgot a netflix show, and I am just now hearing about it????
JaxBill
Footballguy
Schalke players attacked after relegation
ouch
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund ultra groups celebrated the relegation of their local rivals by setting off fireworks close to the Veltins Arena.
ouch
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund ultra groups celebrated the relegation of their local rivals by setting off fireworks close to the Veltins Arena.
Ned
Footballguy
Poke_4_Life
Footballguy
Mjolnirs
Footballguy
B Maverick
Footballguy
So in other/local news, our sunday leagues are starting up again after a year off. League has a few freindlies scheduled before the actual season starts, so Sunday at 9am we have game 1!!!
If I don't post here on Monday, its because I died.
Or maybe its because I want to. 
If I don't post here on Monday, its because I died.
Or maybe its because I want to.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I know the owners like Henry and Roman are out of touch with the sport but whom ever council-ed them that the reaction would not have been poor should really have their jobs in jeopardy.
===========
However, the Sun is reporting that Abramovich is 'livid' with Chelsea after being 'misinformed' about the likely reaction to joining the Super League. He is said to have been 'blindsided' by the strength of the backlash to the initial announcement.
Chairman Bruce Buck led the decision to join the new competition, but it was Abramovich's anger which begun the domino effect as all the English clubs confirmed their withdrawals.
This has been confirmed by multiple sources including the Telegraph stating Abramovich was the man who made the call to order the board to withdraw from the Super League.
===========
However, the Sun is reporting that Abramovich is 'livid' with Chelsea after being 'misinformed' about the likely reaction to joining the Super League. He is said to have been 'blindsided' by the strength of the backlash to the initial announcement.
Chairman Bruce Buck led the decision to join the new competition, but it was Abramovich's anger which begun the domino effect as all the English clubs confirmed their withdrawals.
This has been confirmed by multiple sources including the Telegraph stating Abramovich was the man who made the call to order the board to withdraw from the Super League.
Demand entry into the Super League.So in other/local news, our sunday leagues are starting up again after a year off. League has a few freindlies scheduled before the actual season starts, so Sunday at 9am we have game 1!!!
If I don't post here on Monday, its because I died.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
John Henry was at the Red Sox game last night. He went down to watch the press conference afterwards. Xander Bogarts (Red Sox player) came out to talk to the media. He was wearing a Liverpool jersey and then gave his opinions on how bad the Super League idea was.
Henry left the press conference and immediately went to a room in Fenway Park and recorded the apology video to the Liverpool supporters.
Henry left the press conference and immediately went to a room in Fenway Park and recorded the apology video to the Liverpool supporters.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I have to admit I was also pretty surprised by the nature and strength of the backlash. I think Patrick Bamford made a decent point - fans have accepted blatant outward racism in the game for decades, with only lip-service opposition (no boycotts, no protests). As I've noted before, UEFA itself has been moving in the direction of the ESL - slowly but steadily - over the past 30 years. I see Carra and Neville on Sky yesterday saying this was an attack on the fans and the game itself, and that none of these executives or owners can ever show their faces in England again. To me that is totally hypocritical and it did surprise me.
For what its worth, I have no doubt Bruce Buck was at the lead in this effort for Chelsea (he's an American lawyer at a large international law firm, long time board member at Chelsea), but he was almost certainly just carrying out his marching orders. I doubt Abramovic was taking advise on PR from Buck. No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors at Chelsea. I expect the Sun reporting something like this is nearly 100% speculation, or based on a PR leak from Roman's team to do damage control.
