Hotline QUOTE OF THE DAY
EURO Super Leagues, new Champions League formats, money, money, money…
What happened to the days when football was all about the action on the park?
Sunday’s breakaway bombshell from England’s big six combined with another half-dozen Euro behemoths went down like a lead balloon and forced rival supporters together to scupper the idea.
As always, greed was at the centre of the proposals with the clubs, their owners and UEFA all getting it in the neck on the Hotline.
Hugh Gillian emailed: “Football does not belong to the fans any more.
“TV companies and American companies are taking over with big money and are trying to tell us what we are allowed to watch and pay for as they will make billions.”
Arthur Wylie said: “These new proposals for European club football were a farce.
“Let’s just go back to the good old days of the European Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Cup.
“The current set-up should be scrapped. If it’s called the ‘Champions League’, why are countries allowed to enter teams who are NOT champions?
“All European draws should be unseeded. If the two top teams in a competition are drawn together, then so be it. Please get back to the original format.”
But Willie Waddell, Ayr, said: “It’s hard to feel any sympathy for UEFA with regards to a breakaway faction wanting more money.
“They’ve been pandering to them up to now with the so-called Champions League containing more second, third and fourth-placed teams taking part than actual champions. Any team that wins their ‘All European draws should be unseeded. If the two top teams in a competition are drawn, so be it. Get back to original format’ country’s championship should go straight into the group stage as well as there being a straight up draw without protecting big clubs from meeting each other too early.”
Davy Matson emailed: “All the FA had to do was arrange Wednesday games for the six elite clubs and if they didn’t turn up or fielded weakened sides, fine them heavily and give their opponents an automatic win.”
Jim Docherty emailed: “I didn’t think this would happen as it looked like they were trying to put pressure on UEFA to give them a greater slice of the Champions League cash. If it did lead to a breakaway, it would be a case of putting profit before football morality.”
On to domestic matters and Rangers’ third Old Firm win of the season is still causing debate – but could Steven Gerrard be tempted by a big gun down south?
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “Gerrard is among the favourites to replace Jose Mourinho at Spurs and if he wants the job, Rangers couldn’t stop him – even with his long-term contract at Ibrox. He’d be very hard to replace after the season he’s had.”
John Bruce emailed: “Celtic have actually scored more against Celtic this season than they have against Rangers. Yet more proof, if any was needed, of how far behind champions Rangers have left Celtic.”
Regular caller Gordon Ashley claimed Rangers aren’t as good as they think in yesterday’s Hotline.
But James Smith, Falkirk, hit back and said: “Yet again Gordon can’t bring himself to admit his team are, and have been, rank rotten most of the season. Honest Celtic fans are good enough to say their team have been poor and Rangers have simply been better.
“I’m all for good honest debate but it seems Mr Ashley struggles to get any deserved praise through the craw stuck in his throat.”
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