Richie P

True. That doesn't make it a good idea.

If you want to watch crappy minnows just get more satellite channels ffs, don't mess up our CL. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Plenty of good teams round there to be honest, the gap has just grown over time, few years and they'll catch up to a decent level again.

Worcester City Researcher

Wallin - not every nation has a franchise system in place

"You're not doing so well this season - so we'll give your place to someone else on the other side of the continent"

Meitheisman

True. That doesn't make it a good idea.

If you want to watch crappy minnows just get more satellite channels ffs, don't mess up our CL. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Plenty of good teams round there to be honest, the gap has just grown over time, few years and they'll catch up to a decent level again. </BLOCKQUOTE>

That's the thing, I don't think the gap is closing but rather widening (if that is a word)

Meitheisman

It just so happens that this next best team is usually in one of the top 3 leagues in Europe. Once teams from these league will get beatten on a consistent basis by Slovenian or Moldavian teams then the system should be reconsidered, until then I don't think so.

Mr Wallin

I fully agree with that. Just don't think teams should be given a CL spot because of them being good sometime in the future, it's about who's best now.

I do think that the CL tv money should be distributed in a more fairly way but as UEFA doesn't want to screw up the smaller leagues we'll have to do with this system.

Richie P

True. That doesn't make it a good idea.

If you want to watch crappy minnows just get more satellite channels ffs, don't mess up our CL. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Plenty of good teams round there to be honest, the gap has just grown over time, few years and they'll catch up to a decent level again. </BLOCKQUOTE>

That's the thing, I don't think the gap is closing but rather widening (if that is a word) </BLOCKQUOTE>

It is at the moment and has been since 1998 when non-champions were admitted. That's why it needs addressing

Mr Wallin

I might be a bit distracted by Arsenal just winning but I have no idea at all of what point you're trying to make...

Richie P

I fully agree with that. Just don't think teams should be given a CL spot because of them being good sometime in the future, it's about who's best now.

I do think that the CL tv money should be distributed in a more fairly way but as UEFA doesn't want to screw up the smaller leagues we'll have to do with this system. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Champions of their league shouldn't be disadvantaged over clubs finishing fourth though for example. It's fair that the mid ranking champions (Russia, Romania, Scotland, Ukraine etc) over them. None of this Slovenia/Moldova rubbish, that's just not who this is affecting

Meitheisman

True. That doesn't make it a good idea.

If you want to watch crappy minnows just get more satellite channels ffs, don't mess up our CL. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Plenty of good teams round there to be honest, the gap has just grown over time, few years and they'll catch up to a decent level again. </BLOCKQUOTE>

That's the thing, I don't think the gap is closing but rather widening (if that is a word) </BLOCKQUOTE>

It is at the moment and has been since 1998 when non-champions were admitted. That's why it needs addressing </BLOCKQUOTE>

But the overall level of the CL increased since 1998 which is why it doesn't need addressing imo

Meitheisman

I fully agree with that. Just don't think teams should be given a CL spot because of them being good sometime in the future, it's about who's best now.

I do think that the CL tv money should be distributed in a more fairly way but as UEFA doesn't want to screw up the smaller leagues we'll have to do with this system. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Champions of their league shouldn't be disadvantaged over clubs finishing fourth though for example. It's fair that the mid ranking champions (Russia, Romania, Scotland, Ukraine etc) over them. None of this Slovenia/Moldova rubbish, that's just not who this is affecting </BLOCKQUOTE>

Do you think that the Russian/Scottish/Ukranian champion is better than the 2nd/3rd team in Spain/England/Italy?
If not then the debate is over since most people want the best teams in the CL regardless of what country they are from.
Imagine the EPL not allowing more than 2 teams from London just because there's not enough teams from Kent, everyone would think this is ridiculous and ask for the best teams to play the EPL no matter where they're from. I don't see why it wouldn't be the same way with the CL.
If the 32 best european teams where from the same country then put them all in the CL just like if the 20 best English teams were in London they'd all play in the EPL.