[Albion] Who will lead the EPL fightback against the Super League?

[GT49er]

I think it needs to be a fans led movement backed by the likes of PB with items on the table for discussion to include

1. Temporary suspension of support for the six clubs involved
2. Cancellation of Sky Sports, Now TV, BT Sports subscriptions
3. Pressure on FA not to select players for England duty from the six clubs
4. Pressure on Premiare League to deduct substantial points form the six clubs
5. Pressure on Premiare league to look at the fit and proper rules
6. Pressure on Premiare league to ensure no one person without community links to the area to hold majority owning shares in a club
7. Pressure from fans to encourage in teams along the lines of FC Manchester
7.

The promoters of the new super league will be shaking in their boots at the thought of this happening - not! Money talks - and that'll be the only voice they hear!

 

[beorhthelm]

I’m wondering what majority an EPL vote needs in order to get a decision? It would be good to carry out Gary Nevilles’s suggestion of relegating the 3 American owned conspirators (Man Utd, Liverpool & Arsenal) as punishment for signing up to the ESL (with point deductions for Chelsea, Spurs & City next season).

A great result for West Brom, Fulham and Sheff Utd.

does EPL have powers to do any of these for a club proposing future membership of another League? dont think the authorities can do anything, at least not in the current season . they havent actually joined the league yet, it doesnt exist. then people get wound up that nothing is being done, when the rules dont give power to summarily impose punishment.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I have this image of all the big wigs in this project sitting around a table and then a huge Monty Python style Paul Barber hand with a 500 page letter lands on top and crushes them all.

Go Barber, go!

 

[Springal]

does EPL have powers to do any of these for a club proposing future membership of another League? dont think the authorities can do anything, at least not in the current season . they havent actually joined the league yet, it doesnt exist. then people get wound up that nothing is being done, when the rules dont give power to summarily impose punishment.

Ultimately FIFA govern the game so if they don't sanction it, they can do as they see fit.

 

[GT49er]

does EPL have powers to do any of these for a club proposing future membership of another League? dont think the authorities can do anything, at least not in the current season . they havent actually joined the league yet, it doesnt exist. then people get wound up that nothing is being done, when the rules dont give power to summarily impose punishment.

I very much doubt if anyone has the power to impose those sanctions as proposed by HR, but it might be interesting if a two thirds majority of PL clubs (14) vote to expel the six offenders.

 

[beorhthelm]

Ultimately FIFA govern the game so if they don't sanction it, they can do as they see fit.

FIFA have no power to impose arbitary points deductions, relegation or fines on clubs. its upto the leagues and their existing rules.

 

[Springal]

FIFA have no power to impose arbitary points deductions, relegation or fines on clubs.

No, but could introduce things for 21/22 season. Don’t forget these clubs are the MINORITY so wouldn’t take much for the rest of the clubs to support these plans and vote them through

 

[Swansman]

I wondered about this too. I was surprised, and frankly a little disappointed, to see the only comment on the club’s website was the PL’s press release.

I hope and expect a club statement at some point today.

I do understand your point. However, if one wants to be seen as a leader (and I’m referring to the club generally rather than any one individual) one needs to, errr, lead.

Various national and European authorities have already issued statements, as have influential individual figures in the game. Hell, even BJ has. If we don’t release something today, we’ll be a follower, not a leader, imo. This would be a shame, given the leadership (whether one agrees with the specific stances taken or not) the club has shown on such varied issues as community engagement, racism, online abuse, women’s & disabled football etc...

Come on, Albion, this is an existential threat to the fabric of the whole game; please step up to the plate and take a swing.

Yes, I considered that point, and that may be the case.

However, imo, time is of the essence and, additionally, any such group will need one or (max) two public leaders.

I’m more than happy to sit out today to see what comes out of the club, but I’ll be sorely disappointed if nothing does.

Errr... how about just a small piece of patience maybe?

 

[blue-shifted]

Doesnt matter what smaller clubs say. It needs some managers and players of these 6/7 clubs to speak out. Rashford is very high profile with what is right and wrong. lets hear him show some balls

I think he's shown he has balls, plenty of times

It can't always be up to him to effect change.

 

[Me and my Monkey]

It'll be interesting to see which high profile players and managers step up to condemn this. I'm sure they're not all morally corrupt, money grabbing monsters. Ordinary people up and down the country are having their game stolen away from them, at a time when they are quite literally gagged and unable to protest publicly (another cynical move). We need strong, influential spokespeople to fight on our behalf.

 

[blue-shifted]

It'll be interesting to see which high profile players and managers step up to condemn this. I'm sure they're not all morally corrupt, money grabbing monsters. Ordinary people up and down the country are having their game stolen away from them, at a time when they are quite literally gagged and unable to protest publicly (another cynical move). We need strong, influential spokespeople to fight on our behalf.

The club employees of the 6 clubs will be on a massive 3 line whip to talk about nothing other than on the pitch football, which the players agents will be advising them to stick to

 

[Acker79]

I doubt anyone will. They'll talk a bit, but no one will actually put up a fight until they know just how much money this super league promises to send their way. The premier league won't kick the big six out - it gives them no choice but to go ahead with the super league, and then the big money TV contracts will shift to the super league (and with the money goes the better players) and the premier league will miss out. So kicking them out is a non-starter. Ban them from the FA cup and League cup? They barely pay attention until the final and even then the money won is so small compared to what they get in the champions league already they won't care when they get more from the super league.

From a fan perspective we wil hear the criticisms now, but when the games start it'll be 'it's not the players' fault, we need to support them' 'it's in my blood' 'I'm supporting the team and the club, not the owners, it's them that made the decision not the club' 'I don't want to go to the super league games, but if I don't they'll take away my season ticket and I won't get it back if they cancel the super league because none of us turned up' 'what's the point in not going? the pandemic has show football can continue without fans'

The worst thing about this, is that it is pretty much inevitable. All that's left is the posturing and negotiating for how much of a cut the rest of us get to "let them" do it, and how the teams involved fit it into their schedule (i.e. do they drop out of competitions, etc to fit them in).

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I'm assuming the Chairs and CEOs of the other 14 clubs in the EPL are talking to each other. Opposition will be far more effective if all 14 work together.

This.

Every Tom Dick and Harry CEO spouting off independently would be tin pot. Does the world really need to know the knee jerk response of Alan Pace?

 

[Springal]

Needs to be a orchestrated effort from journalists, PL etc. No-one turning up to press briefings of the 'Big 6', no pre or post match interviews with managers or players at matches from the 'Big 6', no goal of the month or man of the match awards for anyone involved.

Take the limelight away from them, while it won't make any material difference those involved will start to get the message

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I doubt anyone will. They'll talk a bit, but no one will actually put up a fight until they know just how much money this super league promises to send their way. The premier league won't kick the big six out - it gives them no choice but to go ahead with the super league, and then the big money TV contracts will shift to the super league (and with the money goes the better players) and the premier league will miss out. So kicking them out is a non-starter. Ban them from the FA cup and League cup? They barely pay attention until the final and even then the money won is so small compared to what they get in the champions league already they won't care when they get more from the super league.

From a fan perspective we wil hear the criticisms now, but when the games start it'll be 'it's not the players' fault, we need to support them' 'it's in my blood' 'I'm supporting the team and the club, not the owners, it's them that made the decision not the club' 'I don't want to go to the super league games, but if I don't they'll take away my season ticket and I won't get it back if they cancel the super league because none of us turned up' 'what's the point in not going? the pandemic has show football can continue without fans'

The worst thing about this, is that it is pretty much inevitable. All that's left is the posturing and negotiating for how much of a cut the rest of us get to "let them" do it, and how the teams involved fit it into their schedule (i.e. do they drop out of competitions, etc to fit them in).

My understanding is the ESL is to replace the Champions' (sic) League. The EPL and the football pyramid is to stay intact.

If that is the plan it simply turns the Champions' league into a tin pot competition.

If you are right, that Spurs plan to be bottom of 'the League' forever, out of the EPL and FA cup, then the ESL is dead in the water.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Errr... how about just a small piece of patience maybe?

This.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Taking the positives, sounds like a great way for the Albion to achieve the club's stated aim of Top 10 status ie vote to expel The Big Six. Job done!

jester

 

[Goldstone1976]

Why the urge for the club to take the lead? Because the club has an excellent, articulate, leadership team with a highly-regarded Chairman. Who better? What difference will it make? Perhaps none. What is certain is that silence will achieve nothing.

You will be disappointed if nothing comes out of the club today? Yes

What are you expecting? A statement condemning the proposal in the strongest possible terms. If they can do it for online abuse (for example), I don't think it's too much to ask for them to do the same for an existential threat to the fabric of the game

...

 

[Goldstone1976]

Errr... how about just a small piece of patience maybe?

As I said in one of the posts you quoted, I think time is of the essence in this particular case. It's the first time I've ever advocated urgency. I'd also say that I will be surprised if nothing does come out today.

 

[Acker79]

My understanding is the ESL is to replace the Champions' (sic) League. The EPL and the football pyramid is to stay intact.

If that is the plan it simply turns the Champions' league into a tin pot competition.

If you are right, that Spurs plan to be bottom of 'the League' forever, out of the EPL and FA cup, then the ESL is dead in the water.

I was referring to the reported threats or suggestions that these clubs be kicked out the premier league or docked so many points they are relegated. It seems like as much as people suggest them, it would do more harm to the premier league.