A Messi ending
by JOHN CROSS
We have the Premier League and two cup competitions.
“One of which, the League Cup, is the largest financial contributor to the EFL and the 72 clubs. This proposal will probably see the end of that cup in its entirety or reduced to some kind of youth competition.
“We also seem to be expected to accept these proposals because they are not as bad as they could have been. I can’t quite buy into the thinking we should be ever so grateful that it’s only an extra 100 games.
“My question to everybody is, where does this all end?
“This may not be affecting your domestic leagues as much as it looks like it will affect our domestic competitions in this cycle but the creep is never-ending.”
UEFA chiefs want to agree on a new 36-team Swiss league format which would be a passport to bigger TV deals, more games and prize money plus “unfair” guaranteed places for bigger clubs.
The all-powerful European Club Association have been pushing for a major shake-up of European competition but there are fears it could cause a wider gap between the Premier League elite and the clubs below amid fears for EFL clubs.
Parish was joined in his concerns by Christian Purslow, the Aston Villa chief executive.
Villa enjoyed the greatest day in the club’s history when they won the European Cup in 1982 and Purslow (bottom right) said: “English and European football has always been about living the dream. Beating big teams, climbing up the ladder, entering Europe is what, in sporting terms, that dream is all about.
“I have never heard anyone say the group stages of the CL need more games. Most of us know that phase is rather boring and uninteresting. ”
EFL chairman Rick Parry warned the effect it could have on the League Cup and match calendar could reduce income for some clubs by a third – potentially putting them out of business.
He said: “We could lose a third of the revenues we distribute to our clubs. That will pose a very real threat.”
PSG BARCELONA
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PSG WIN 5-2 ON AGG LIONEL MESSI could have played his final Champions League game for Barcelona, after they were dumped out at the last-16 stage for the first time since 2007.
Messi (inset) is out of contract in June and there looks to be no sign of him renewing that deal.
Last night he tried to haul Barcelona to his level but much like in last season’s Champions League, he failed.
In August, the Spanish side were humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
And last night was another embarrassing exit.
Trailing 4-1 after the first leg, Clement Lenglet fouled Mauro Icardi in the penalty area and Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot in the 30th minute.
Messi pulled them level on the night with a long-range shot but there was no way back.