So we all know Michael Platini is on a mission to make UEFA a fairer, more worthwhile, and in my opinion better place. Sorry big four fans, but it is true. A maximum of three teams would be better for everybody, but that is a story for another time. Back to the point in hand; what will become of Michael's presenting-the-trophys-in-the-stands-for-the-fans Europe?
Well this dealio with only financially sound teams being allowed into the Champions League thing makes a lot of sense to me. I mean, what is the point of supporting a team that can just be bought out and made good? Really, what would be more satisfying all you Chelsea/City fans, the current paid for by Russian privatisation/middle eastern investment sucess you have at the minute, which lets be honest, the fans didn't have much to do with, or proper, achieved on the back of fan power sucess? Surely the second. When I see fans disucusing about how they need an investor for the team I die a little inside. That is not the banter of football fans, that is the banter of banking fans.
Seems there is growing feeling, especially amongst the throngs of the Kop and Stretford End, that maybee clubs should be in the hands of the fans. Their is a revolution brewing I tells you, a beautiful footballing revolution. Clubs owned by those that give their time and rubels, not by those with an interest in bizarre economics.
Whats more, here in England we need this revolution soon. If Platini really can bring this rule through, then as far as I can tell, England's Champions League representatives would be Arsenal, Villa, Spurs and Christ knows who else. One of those super well run Isthmian league clubs perhaps? God knows who Scotland would send. We need this revolution, or we are out of Europe guys.
Thing is, as per usuall, Germany is allready there. There are many, many wonderful things about the Bundesliga; Cheapness, entertainingness, beeringlassesinthestandsness, standingterassesthatactuallyworkness, Miroslav Klosseness, but most importantly of all clubsownedbythefansness. I accept, this it not entirely true, but their seems to be a lot of negative feeling towards the way Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen are run. Every other club is owned by the fans, for the fans, for the good of the fans and the comunity. CLubs are not investments, they are football clubs, sports clubs, social institutions. Glorious
Okay, German clubs may be off the Sky Sports Barca-and-Real-and-the-English European radar, and to be fair, they have struggled in the CL of late, but things will change. Germany is going to be all over the Champions League pretty soon, seriously. Some of the best attended and most well run (Schalke aside) clubs, operating on a morally superior model to le prem. This is the future, and in Germany, the future is now.
Spain is similar, but most clubs outside the top few get attendances that would be normal in the Championship, whereas Eintracht Frankfurt, a club so mid table, the prospect of any other finishing position that the warm embrace of 10th through 12th strikes fear into all concerned, average 40,000 every week. So while Real and Barca are also fan run, the rest of the Spanish league are to small or incompetent (cough, Valencia and Deportivo) to hold a candle to what the German teams will become.
But to be honest, a few years of Germany showing us the way would be great news. Hell, we may get real glasses and standing terasses back. Perhaps ticket prices will fall, attendaces will rise, and our penalty taking skills will Improve. Either way, if I have a choice of spending my £15 on watching Chester City climb their way out of the negative numbers whilst their winding up order is put on hold, or going to see Bayern vs. Dortmund, with a Weissbier or two on the way, the decision dosen't require to much.
It may not be obvious at the moment, but Germany has got football right, and soon they are going to be rubbing it in our noses.
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