Arsène Wenger’s thoughts on a European Super League
Filed under: Arsenal, Business, Champions League, Manchester City, Money, Real Madrid, UEFA
Arsène Wenger has revealed he believes a European Super League could become a reality within the next 10 years. The Arsenal boss, preparing for Tuesday night’s Champions League Play-off showdown with Celtic at Parkhead, believes some clubs will soon become frustrated with the level of financial rewards on offer in Europe’s leading club competition and will look for a way to start a breakaway league.
With clubs such as Manchester City and Real Madrid setting new standards for transfer spending, Wenger believes it is highly possible there will be moves to create a new league of top clubs.
At present, UEFA ring fence the cash which comes in from the Champions League and then redistribute it. But with a new European Super League the clubs could take control of those riches.
Wenger did not go as far as to say it was a certainty, but he believes moves are afoot to make an idea which has been mooted for a long time become a reality.
“The national leagues will survive, but maybe in 10 years you will have a European League,” Wenger said. “The way we are going now financially, even the money coming in from the Champions League, for some clubs who spend so much money, will not be enough anymore because the income is basically owned by UEFA and they distribute the money to the clubs.
“I’m not sure 100% that I am right, but I feel that there are some voices behind the scenes in our game aiming to do something about a European league, especially if the rules become too restrictive for the big clubs as things currently stand.
“If a European league (does happen) the question is whether clubs will transfer from a national league or whether it is a franchised European league.
“That’s the question people will have to answer.
“I personally believe only in sporting merit, so if one league is created there has to be promotion up and down. But that would be, practically, very difficult to resolve.
“I do not want to kill the national leagues so each team should have to play in the national league and in Europe.
“That means the Euro league taking place in midweek and the national league over the weekend. All this would mean having two teams, basically.”
What do you guys think?
This has been talked about forever. I’m tired of it. In fact you basically need two teams now to compete domestically and in Europe.
Dumb. Stupid. I hate Arsenal now.
I bet it happens eventually. I think deep down the higher ups and Real Madrid, if given the choice, would choose money over trophies. The fans would not but the front office people would. How sweet would this be though. Milan, Inter, Juve, Madrid, Barca, the top four in England all playing each other week in, week out.