Top clubs demand bigger CL payday
THERE was so much talk last week about the new-look Champions League that one key point was overlooked.
UEFA were hoping to reach an agreement at the start of this month but that deadline will go by without Europe’s biggest clubs reaching a deal on reforms from 2024.
Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli (right), head of the European Club Association
(ECA), confirmed that the Swiss model with more games is the preferred format.
But that is not the issue. What is still to be resolved is who will take ownership of the competition.
UEFA see themselves as being in charge but the ECA want a bigger say and a bigger share.
They believe UEFA should be regulators, not the commercial partners.
Clubs have suffered huge financial losses through the Covid-19 pandemic, with Agnelli stressing they are the ones taking the risks and
SERGIO AGUERO is one of the greatest strikers of the Premier League era and yet there is no great panic at Manchester City about his contract coming to an end this summer.
Why? Because the growing belief among football insiders is that City will get a deal done for Lionel Messi before he finishes his sensational career in MLS.
Messi, 34 in June, would be a different style of forward but it would be a remarkable coup for City and a game-changer for the Premier League. therefore they should get a greater share of the spoils.
Agnelli also made a remark about the Swiss model being “flexible” which largely went unnoticed.
There are already concerns about the new competition being a closed shop beyond the top six in the Premier League and other European super clubs.
But you have to assume the ECA might also view “flexibility” in their favour as to which clubs are part of the deal.
It is also pretty clear UEFA want to resolve the Champions League issue to make it one less thing to worry about with the Euros looming.
European football’s governing body continues to put on a brave face about this summer’s tournament but many in football – from clubs, FAs and broadcasters – believe the multi-city finals will end up being held in just one country, with England the most likely venue.
THE Emma Hayes story caused uproar as Chelsea’s all-conquering women’s boss was linked with the AFC Wimbledon job.
Hayes made clear her annoyance that people viewed it as a step up to take over a men’s team. But who actually said that? The story didn’t.
You can understand why she would not leave her job at Chelsea where she gets paid twice as much as AFC Wimbledon pay their managers and the facilities and success are on a different level to the foot of League One.
ARSENAL are offering an “amnesty” to all season-ticket holders using tickets that have been passed down the generations or on to friends by the original recipient.
It’s a problem at many clubs and the Gunners are among those allowing fans to update details on the tickets – and keep them onside in these difficult times.
CARDIFF CITY are promoting a wonderful initiative to support their hugely popular defender Sol Bamba in his battle against cancer.
They have launched a Sol Patch campaign, urging fans to grow the little tuft of hair under their bottom lip. Female and junior fans are being asked to cut out a little piece of paper and stick it below their lip.
Cardiff captain Sean Morrison said: “Growing Sol patches in February is our way of showing our support to the Big Man and raising awareness and funds in support of Lymphoma Action.” For more info, go to www.cardiffcityfc. co.uk/news/mysolpatch-support-big-man-february