It was revealed a couple of weeks ago that talks have been held with a view to forming an 'Atlantic League' involving the dominant clubs in European leagues other than the 'big four' i.e. the storied clubs not competing in the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga and La Liga.
The talks were held in response to the growing inequality in European football, following the revelation earlier this year that there would be 16 group stage places in the Champions League ring-fenced for teams from the four big leagues mentioned above.
A fortnight ago, Copenhagen CEO let the cat out of the bag, and confirmed discussions had been held.
He told BT in Denmark that:
If we do not act now, we will see the biggest clubs grow larger and stronger while it will be increasingly difficult for clubs like us.
We must therefore look at alternative international opportunities for FCK [Copenhagen] in the future.
It is still too early to talk about specific models, but the discussion of leagues across European borders is a topic we look at and actively participate in.
Among the clubs believed to be interested in joining the league are Ajax along with the Old Firm in Scotland.
Stewart Regan, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, backed a cross-border competition of some sort earlier today, telling the Guardian that Scottish clubs risked being left behind. Regan is part of a Uefa working group investigating how such a cross-border competition would work.
Regan envisages the Scottish clubs knocked out of Europe before Christmas competing in a cross-border competition with clubs from other nations who find themselves in a similar situation.
It all sounds like a pretty solid idea. Regan's reasoning is that TV markets for the Champions League in the countries whose sides are out of the competition before Christmas are shrinking, so a shake-up of some kind is required.
Regan also confirmed his belief that the Champions League is in danger of becoming a tired format:
We are in danger at the moment of keeping perpetuating the Champions League brand as the answer to everything. It has been a fantastic journey and a fantastic success but there are signs now emerging that it is peaking. In any other brand, at the point of large peaks you do something else.
I think people will get bored with Champions League predictability, particularly in markets where your own country isn’t represented for long spells in the season.
How do we keep the dream alive in Europe? For me, that is cross-border. It is giving clubs the chance to play against other big teams for a big prize.
That seems entirely fair. But here's the catch.
What is that "big prize", Stewart?
That prize might be entry back into the Champions League.
Huh. So the way of revolutionising European football is by founding a new competition as an alternative to the boring old Champions League..and offering entry to the Champions League as a prize.
It's a solid idea, the Atlantic League, but one that needs a bit more work.
