"Football Leaks"- Der Spiegel.

[sevengoals]

From Der Spiegel, International Edition.

The world of football has reached a crossroads. Self-important functionaries and authoritarian countries are marring the sport with backroom deals and covert plans for a new league. Today, DER SPIEGEL is launching a multi-week series disclosing their secrets.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 36447.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/foo ... 36277.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 36447.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 36414.html

http://www.spiegel.de/video/football-le ... 22201.html

[blahblah]

The thing that worries me about this is that it is all about the money, not the football. There is no romance in this proposal, simply cash at the expense of domestic leagues. Without an emotive foundation I am not sure how long such a league would prosper, particularly after some big clubs spend a few years in unfamiliar territory; the bottom of the table. Most of their popularity as clubs hinges upon success in their respective leagues, for some that is guaranteed to diminish under the proposed structure.

Ironically it may be good for some domestic leagues as with the giants gone the prospects for other clubs and their fans enjoying domestic success increases dramatically.

[sevengoals]

It sucks big time.