Doncaster warns of Europe ‘closed shop’
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has warned that the Champions League could become an ‘NFL-style closed shop’ if UEFA reforms are allowed to go through unchallenged.
And he fears that clubs from smaller television markets like Scotland will be left permanently on the outside looking in if the gulf between the haves and have-nots widens.
Doncaster fired his blistering broadside as the war between the European Professional Football Leagues and governing body UEFA escalated yesterday.
Enraged by changes that will now see the ‘Big Four’ leagues from England, Spain, Germany and Italy guaranteed four Champions League places — as well as the distribution of a portion of prize money based on ‘historic success’ — the EPFL
warned they could now schedule live TV fixtures in direct opposition to Champions League and Europa League ties. Doncaster welcomed UEFA’s protection of the ‘champions route’ to the group stage of the Champions League for Scotland’s Premiership winners, but shared the EPFL’s anger over ‘the regressive and protectionist direction of travel for the world’s most prestigious club competition’. He declared: ‘There needs to be a far stronger balance between sporting merit and commercial pressures, otherwise we risk an inexorable slide towards an NFL-style closed-shop system. ‘We know that many of our counterparts in other countries share our concerns about the nature of the decision-making process and the lack of consultation with European leagues. ‘UEFA has a duty to act on behalf of the entire game, not just a few, select clubs and leagues — and it must take that duty far more seriously if it is not to risk presiding over a harmful fragmentation of the game. ‘We will continue to be robust and forthright when required in fighting to protect the best interests of Scottish football on this issue, with today a strong demonstration that the majority of other European leagues share our view.’ The EPFL issued a statement whch said the changes had been implemented ‘without the support and consensus’ from domestic leagues, adding: ‘This decision will have a detrimental impact on domestic competitions and will lead to an exponential growth in the financial and sporting gap between the biggest clubs in Europe and all the others.’ Arguing that UEFA had effectively breached an agreement with league bodies by acting unilaterally, the statement said domestic divisions now had ‘total freedom to schedule their matches as they see fit, including on the same days and at the same kick-off times as UEFA club competitions.’