Champions league can be made into a conference style league instead of a cup competition. This will make the clubs happy. Clubs wanted more matches like Liverpool - Barcelona, Juventus-Chelsea every year. Cup competition just didn’t offer that. I think UEFA is planning something like that.
Also, England do deserve two more slots in Champions League considering the level of competition in Premier League.
UEFA already announced change in CL format. Now it will be a league with 36 teams, with each team playing against 10 different opponents. Top 8 to Round of 16, while the next 16 to a playoff round. No movement between UCL & UEL.
As a fan, I was happy with the current format, but this new format is better for big teams as they'll face 10 opponents, so more than one big team. Even small teams will benefit because they'll play 10 matches compared to 6 currently.
I don't think the big clubs will be happy because they still have to share revenue with small clubs from smaller nations and also, they are not guaranteed a place in the tournament.
I hope AFC also make changes like these. These 40-team round robin looks asymmetrical. 32 is ok, but not 40. AFC Cup format is totally messed up.
Times of India conducted a poll asking the fans whether they supported the European Super League, whether it would change football for the better etc. Most fans were not in favour of the ESL
TOI POLL: Most football fans not in favour of European Super League
But champions league format looks fine. Every team has equal chances. 40 teams is odd but that's the one of the reason, FC Goa is playing in AFC champions league.
Key was UEFA's threat to ban players. Plenty of fans have shown enough hatred for ISL. Specially from eastern side of the country until and unless big two got to play in ISL. Did anything happen? Let BCCI threat IPL or AIFF threat ISL, will see the difference. But that is not going to happen in light-years. However, remember rebel league is nothing new in history. Kerry Packer started day and night cricket with white balls, coloured costumes and cheergirls serving beers in gentlemen's game. Thats how limited over cricket was born. Tradition always clashes with business. Do you still use post office service or prefer FedEx? If you have a closure look, Spanish FA is most incompetent FA in Europe. They are puppet of RM & FCB. Without them will you watch any other team in La Liga? They even had to sell broadcasting right to Facebook. They were world champions and back to back Euro Champion but could not implement a sustainable league structure. Clubs are in debts. Sports economy has grown out of proportion and return on equity is high for league owners rather than sponsors. So sponsors will go for control. What Shree Cement, JSW or RPG will gain from ISL? FD will give them higher return. The machine will go out of control sooner or later.
@AshishKaul 5 team group will need 10 matchdays, while 4 team group need only 6. 6 team group also need only 10 match days. So it's better the no. of teams in a group be even.
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As a fan, I was happy with the current format, but this new format is better for big teams as they'll face 10 opponents, so more than one big team. Even small teams will benefit because they'll play 10 matches compared to 6 currently.
I don't think the big clubs will be happy because they still have to share revenue with small clubs from smaller nations and also, they are not guaranteed a place in the tournament.
I hope AFC also make changes like these. These 40-team round robin looks asymmetrical. 32 is ok, but not 40. AFC Cup format is totally messed up.
TOI POLL: Most football fans not in favour of European Super League
Did this newspaper or any other newspaper conduct any poll when AIFF signed the 700 crore deal with IMG-RIL in 2010 or before the start of the ISL?
In any democracy, the Fourth Estate has a crucial role in framing social policies and should not be hand in glove with the powers that be.
Agree with AFC cup, it's clumsy.
But champions league format looks fine. Every team has equal chances. 40 teams is odd but that's the one of the reason, FC Goa is playing in AFC champions league.
Let BCCI threat IPL or AIFF threat ISL, will see the difference. But that is not going to happen in light-years.
However, remember rebel league is nothing new in history. Kerry Packer started day and night cricket with white balls, coloured costumes and cheergirls serving beers in gentlemen's game. Thats how limited over cricket was born. Tradition always clashes with business. Do you still use post office service or prefer FedEx?
If you have a closure look, Spanish FA is most incompetent FA in Europe. They are puppet of RM & FCB. Without them will you watch any other team in La Liga? They even had to sell broadcasting right to Facebook. They were world champions and back to back Euro Champion but could not implement a sustainable league structure. Clubs are in debts. Sports economy has grown out of proportion and return on equity is high for league owners rather than sponsors. So sponsors will go for control. What Shree Cement, JSW or RPG will gain from ISL? FD will give them higher return. The machine will go out of control sooner or later.
6 team group also need only 10 match days. So it's better the no. of teams in a group be even.
+ no stupid rule of 3 best 2nd place teams.
4 groups 5 teams 8 games and the top 2 from each group qualify for knockouts.