The Big Three in Holland (Ajax, Feijenoord, PSV) are already negotiating to get into the European Superliga. Ajax is listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange.
It’s already happened, L_C.
The European Superliga is happening…bollocks !..have I lost the plot ?
I’m not sure I even know what this incarnation of the ‘European Superliga’ is ? - and, more importantly, don’t tell Ramon about it.
I personally know very few Irish who genuinely support both Celtic and an EPL club. While a number of EPL fans here are strongly sympathetic to Celtic (and extremely few wouldn’t at least cheer us on over Rangers), and a (smaller) number of true Celtic supporters also have favourite English teams, when push comes to shove I don’t think most of us will have to think twice before choosing between Celtic and the English club.
I remember when Celtic were drawn against Liverpool in the UEFA Cup a few years ago. A lot of the Irish 'Pool fans in San Francisco (where I was living at the time) spoke before the first game about how difficult it was going to have to be to decide who to cheer for. As I recall, only one of them actually ended up going for Celtic. From that point on there was only one of them I continued to consider a “Celtic supporter”.
Sorry if that’s ragingly intolerant of me, but that’s how I feel about the matter. Cheer on as many different teams in as many different leagues as you like - I certainly do - but a real supporter never cheers against the team s/he really supports.
I swear I only hit “submit” once. Coldie, can you do the honours?
Why, of course! 
NO NO NO! It simply can’t be allowed to happen. stamps feet
Firstly it would completely destroy the concept of clubs representing an area. Wimbledon to Dublin was a similar plan that was thankfully ditched (although Milton Keynes hasn’t gone away yet)
Where would it stop? The so called Atlantic league would have no obvious obstacles once this precedent has been established. Swansea, Berwick etc are historical quirks, not precedents.
This would lead to G14 setting up their own, exclusive, Euro league and the loss of meaningful competition in other countries. (although a league without Arsenal has it’s attractions)
I think the arguement about hooliganism is a red herring (although it would undoubtedly happen). If this were a criterion for league membership etc we would hardly be about to welcome Birmingham’s Zulus and Man City’s City Gents into the Premiership (although I do wonder what would have happened if Millwall had qualified).
And amongst all this someone had to mention Ramon “daft” Vega. The Horror! The Horror!
I don’t think it’s a red herring at all. There have already been incidents such as the Celtic-Leeds friendly a few years back when a Leeds firm made arrangements via the internet to meet up with a Rangers mob and together they attacked a Celtic pub in Glasgow (one in which I frequently drink, I might add). Also, our travelling support has a regrettable tendency to spend a good chunk of the 90 minutes in away matches singing IRA songs - next time one of these matches is on the telly, put it on for a few minutes, it’s quite noticeable - I have grave concerns about how well that’s going to go over with the “No Surrender to the IRA” singers amongst the English clubs’ supporters.
And I’m sure I needn’t add that the Rangers travelling support has a few problems of their own :rolleyes:
Some interesting poll results from various Rivals.net club sites:
Should Rangers and Celtic be invited to join English football?
Arsenal
Yes 76.2%
No 23.8%
Aston Villa
Yes 32%
No 68%
Chelsea
Yes 42.3%
No 57.7%
Everton
Yes 29%
No 71%
Leeds
Yes 20.7%
No 79.3%
Liverpool
Yes 53.1%
No 46.9%
Man Utd
Yes 50%
No 50%
Middlesbrough
Yes 14.8%
No 85.2%
Spurs
Yes 33.9%
No 66.1%
West Ham
Yes 30.3%
No 69.7%
Thankfully it’s all academic for the time being, since the FA has given a categorical “no” and UEFA was relying on agreement between all involved associations.
Interestingly, the vitriol directed against this is especially high among second and third division clubs – i.e. those that see themselves losing out on promotion places or on the wrong end of a growing financial divide (what impetus would a Celtic/Rangers move give to that old Premiership Two plan?).
Ruadh – based on the footie boards I frequent I’d be interested to see a poll of non-Premier fans.
Follow that link, Crusoe, and you can see them for yourselves.
Oldham Athletic
Yes 20%
No 80%
Aw feck.
Millwall
No 33.3%
Yes 66.7%
(No, I’m not gonna keep doing this all night, but that one’s rather striking.)
In case you needed any confirmation here’s a cite for the FA’s statement (from their own website), and here’s another from SportingNews.com.
Didn’t we agree that this was a non-starter for next season anyway? Don’t be too surprised if we’re having the same debate again next year though (and certainly before the Scottish League split occurs). It still leaves open the question of where Celtic and Rangers will play if they’re not wanted at home or in England.
Never mind splitting hairs on those stats ruadh, whichever way they’re spliced there’s a clear divide between clubs that have most to lose v those who expect greater profit at least threat to themselves.
Interesting. I didn’t even know we’d had a poll on our Rivals site.
I think it’s a Rivals-wide thing, all the sites seem to have them.