[St Charles Owl]

There are now news reports that Chelsea are preparing documentation to withdraw from the ESL.  Apparently them and City didn't want to get on this train but were on the train so as not to miss it.  Neither of them are traditional top 6 teams, same for Spurs and both seem to be more in touch of with the fans.

Also, the elephant in the room: none of those three are American-owned.  This ESL bollocks has US-style closed league format all over it.  Trying to create an NFL of football, but without even bothering to adopt the more positive elements of the American system such as first draft pick for the weakest team, etc.

If it goes ahead, I give it five years before they introduce post-season playoffs culminating in an annual Soccer Bowl to crown the champions

Thats a good point!! The NFL system works over here because for starters its always been that way and because its supported by the college football system as well. Playoff also wortk in the NFL because the teams do not play each other every season, so it is the fairest way to decide it. The draft is a problem for me in so much as teams do seem to give up to get the first pick.

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Real Madrid and possibly Barca could now be screwed, both are seriously in debt and this seems to have been a lifeline for them.

Chelsea and Man Citey have dropped out - probably the only 2 clubs who are not with massive debts.
They don't need billions to balance the books - the rest are in the deep stuff.

Liverpool and Manure's debt is more institutional rather than making operating losses all the time. The Spanish and Italian teams are in debt on an operating basis consistently as they are trying to compete with the PL teams and the TV money that the PL has.

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Now Ed Woodward has resigned as Chairman of Manure, its all falling apart!!