AKCJ Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35968443 Leicester are a "magic team" deserving of a spot in Europe's top competition, says the businessman who initially appeared to oppose the Foxes' place in a proposed breakaway European league. Charlie Stillitano, co-founder of the International Champions Cup, met with five Premier League clubs in March about the possible new format. Leicester have since been included in this summer's pre-season Champions Cup. "I would not want a closed league," Stillitano told BBC Radio Leicester. "I would want these magical teams, like Leicester, to be a part of this." Leicester, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, are seven points clear of Tottenham at the top of the Premier League with six games remaining. The Foxes need 12 points from their final six games to become champions. "Can you imagine if they were left out of the [Champions] League after what they've done? It would be absurd," continued the American. "They are maybe the [best] sports story ever. "If they win the Premier League this year, I cannot think of any accomplishment bigger than what they're doing." After last month's meeting with officials from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, Stillitano said the change to the Champions League format was "being discussed all over Europe". At the time, he was quoted as saying: "What would Manchester United argue: did we create soccer or did Leicester create [it]?" Stillitano said his comments were "really unfairly treated", and that the opinions of Juventus president Andrea Agnelli and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the European Clubs' Association, will shape the Champions League debate. "I was very clear that I am not the architect, I am not behind it in any way, shape or form," Stillitano said. "I was just commenting that different people are saying different things. "You've had the real leaders of football talking about it, not me - some guy from New Jersey. All I was commenting on was that the conversation was out there, it's not mine. "I think, honestly, that was misquoted."
kushiro Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35968443 Leicester are a "magic team" deserving of a spot in Europe's top competition, says the businessman who initially appeared to oppose the Foxes' place in a proposed breakaway European league. Charlie Stillitano, co-founder of the International Champions Cup, met with five Premier League clubs in March about the possible new format. Leicester have since been included in this summer's pre-season Champions Cup. "I would not want a closed league," Stillitano told BBC Radio Leicester. "I would want these magical teams, like Leicester, to be a part of this." Leicester, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, are seven points clear of Tottenham at the top of the Premier League with six games remaining. The Foxes need 12 points from their final six games to become champions. "Can you imagine if they were left out of the [Champions] League after what they've done? It would be absurd," continued the American. "They are maybe the [best] sports story ever. "If they win the Premier League this year, I cannot think of any accomplishment bigger than what they're doing." After last month's meeting with officials from Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, Stillitano said the change to the Champions League format was "being discussed all over Europe". At the time, he was quoted as saying: "What would Manchester United argue: did we create soccer or did Leicester create [it]?" Stillitano said his comments were "really unfairly treated", and that the opinions of Juventus president Andrea Agnelli and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the European Clubs' Association, will shape the Champions League debate. "I was very clear that I am not the architect, I am not behind it in any way, shape or form," Stillitano said. "I was just commenting that different people are saying different things. "You've had the real leaders of football talking about it, not me - some guy from New Jersey. All I was commenting on was that the conversation was out there, it's not mine. "I think, honestly, that was misquoted." Misquoted!!! He's been to the same PR school as Trump! (Actually, the money guy in that 'Relevent' group Stillitano works for was a huge donor to Mitt Romney, Republican candidate at the last election.)
Babylon Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 Misquoted!!! He's been to the same PR school as Trump! (Actually, the money guy in that 'Relevent' group Stillitano works for was a huge donor to Mitt Romney, Republican candidate at the last election.) To be fair I think he might have been. I saw quite a few "soccer" fans in the states saying that, how the story was shown over here, really wasn't what he said in the radio interview. In fact they were really annoyed with how it was reported and how people reacted with the "Americans had no idea and shouldn't meddle with our sports" type attitude.
kushiro Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 To be fair I think he might have been. I saw quite a few "soccer" fans in the states saying that, how the story was shown over here, really wasn't what he said in the radio interview. In fact they were really annoyed with how it was reported and how people reacted with the "Americans had no idea and shouldn't meddle with our sports" type attitude. He may regret it now, but he said those things clear as day: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/04/champions-league-leicester-relevent-sports-charlie-stillitano
Jaspa Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 Yeah he did an interview on the Stringer show last night and came across surprisingly down to earth - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03nn7n8#play(29:50-onwards)
filbertstreet Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 that's some pretty great backtracking, get him in as a full back
GaelicFox Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 He could be a political heavy weight in this country with that ability to back track !
MPH Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 He's probably heard about our owners and our 'growing fanbase' In Asia/ Thailand.- Another potential source of income for this new format for them to tap into.
Sublime_Coatsworth Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 This guy is not interested in football, just the money that can be made from it. He clearly has no understanding of the history of the beautiful game, nor the motivations and emotions of people who follow it. He sees football as just another entertainment franchise and wants a piece of it. Like a lot of business leaders and politicians he thinks a few interviews, sound bites and press releases will solve the problem. He's just another middle-man and so will only ever be taking something away for the game, never adding.
MC Prussian Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 Yeah he did an interview on the Stringer show last night and came across surprisingly down to earth - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03nn7n8#play(29:50-onwards) It did feel friendly, although Matt Elliott rightfully questioned Stillitano's attitude, in particular for not fully renouncing the idea of a European Super League and evading some of the more pressing issues. You could sense that the competition is all about making money. I do hope it doesn't clash too much with the LCFC philosophy and doesn't put the club in a somewhat shady light. Stillitano talked a lot in relative terms (it felt like a quarter of the program was dedicated solely to him) and a lot about passion and history - I think it was in parts an attempt at saving face and portraying himself as a benefactor.
Babylon Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 He may regret it now, but he said those things clear as day: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/04/champions-league-leicester-relevent-sports-charlie-stillitano Perhaps you didn't read what I put, I said how it was reported was not accurate to what was actually said in the radio interview. Or certain key elements were left out from the reporting that might have given it context.
Webbo Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 Yeah he did an interview on the Stringer show last night and came across surprisingly down to earth - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03nn7n8#play(29:50-onwards) I heard that. He came across quite well.
ozleicester Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 Heard the interview with Stringer. I think he was very careful to say the right things, but still think hes looking to build a super league and he still said... if you look at the building of sarker over the past years, it owes more to man utd than Leicester....NO MATE, thats bollocks, without clubs like Leicester, you dont have Man utd. Yes theyve been more successful, but they have to beat someone to be successful. Hes just after the cash
howlinmadmurfdoc Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 He just says what he thinks certain people want to hear, tells the big clubs there's no room for small clubs and the small clubs that of course they're welcome.
Sionnach gorm Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 He's a business man. His research team probably told him that in recent polls Leicester City is the team people would pay to watch. When asked about Manchester United the majority of the answers were "who?" And "I don't like rugby"!
Jordan Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 Stillitano is deserving of a lot of scorn, but to suggest he's not interested in soccer is plainly ridiculous. He might have been poor at handling the actual on-the-pitch happenings of the sport, but he's been involved in the sport for his whole life, including when it was neither profitable not popular over here.
sylofox Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 A money man yank d1ck that don't understand the game just looking for money. Has now seen we are at this moment the best catch in the world.
Dan Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 I'm not having it. He realises that his ideals don't really wash with fans in this country and he's trying to save face. He's a US sports executive dealing with European football for **** sake. He's got one thing on his mind.
Dan Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 Stillitano is deserving of a lot of scorn, but to suggest he's not interested in soccer is plainly ridiculous. He might have been poor at handling the actual on-the-pitch happenings of the sport, but he's been involved in the sport for his whole life, including when it was neither profitable not popular over here. And yet is happy to lower the overall quality of the sport as a whole if it means profiting from it. Sorry I'm just not having it. If you love football you do things for football, not take from it for your own gain.
AndyElZorro Posted 5 April 2016 Posted 5 April 2016 He hasn't backtracked. He was completely misquoted by the press and by the time he tried to explain half of Leicester had already executed him simply by accepting those misquotes as fact. He actually loves Leicester. In fact, two city fans have been living with him while they are staying over here for a year coaching kids in his neighborhood. I listen to him every morning and not once has he ever chatted shit about us.
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