The Atlantic League

[Kilworthfox]

I have just been watching SSN & caught the end of a report regarding a proposal for the atlantic league for larger clubs from Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Portugal & Belgium.

Wiki Link

Now I'm not in favor of breaking up successful league systems! I wonder how the domestic leagues in the countries above would be effected if the top 2/3 clubs were removed? I believe that they would become more competatve, but financially would their appeal be the same as 3rd or 4th tier English football?

I have some sympathy with large clubs, who historically have been successful in Europe but can now not compete because of financialy being made relative porpers when compaired with even the average top flight teams in England because of the Sky tv deal.

Clubs affected would more than likely be:

Glasgow Rangers

Glasgow Celtic

Benfica

Sporting Club Lisbon

F.C Porto

Braga

Ajax

Feyenoord

P.S.V Eindhoven

AZ Alkmaar

Rosenborg BK

Valarenga

Tromso

IFK Gothenburg

AIK

Malmo

Helsinborgs

Anderlecht

Club Brugge

Genk

Standard Liege

Brondby

F.C Copenhagen

Odense Boldklub

Now there are 24 teams above, I'm sure commercially a tv deal would be put togeather that neutrals would want to watch & these clubs would be able to make some kind of resurgence to European success?

Thats good for them, however the only problem would come if the leagues that they leave behind are not more competative or they lack public interest & they then suffer the negative consequences of this proposal.

[Webbo]

It's arguable that if the old firm left the Scottish league they'd have a much more competitive league and might possibly create more interest.

[Kilworthfox]

It's arguable that if the old firm left the Scottish league they'd have a much more competitive league and might possibly create more interest.

Yes, the SPL is so damn predictable & therefore boring! I thinkAberdeen in 1985 were the last team to finish 1st instead of the Glasgow 2. I think clubs like Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd could thrive on the chance to win titles & play in Europe every year, also potentially making these clubs more appealing to players?

[davieG]

Where would the respective Country's European Qualifiers come from, their existing depleted leagues or just the top four from this league (can't see that happening) or would this be an alternative Euro competition?

[Kilworthfox]

Where would the respective Country's European Qualifiers come from, their existing depleted leagues or just the top four from this league (can't see that happening) or would this be an alternative Euro competition?

The domestic leagues keep their euro places & the new league gets some places. Obviously somewhere some league(s) would miss out...

In the new league there would be 4/5 places for the top finishing clubs, thse not finishing in these places miss out on Europe completely!

[Guest BlueBrett]

Sounds like it could work. Don't think it would have a detrimental financial impact on the smaller clubs because surely a lot of the 'big teams' matches would be abroad, meaning that the fans who would otherwise be watching them play may well find themselves free on Saturdays and still in the mood to watch some football.

[FoxyPV]

The seasons wouldn't work as the scandanavian teams play Mar-Oct (?) yet everyone else plays Sept - May so would it be marketed as an alternative summer club Euro competition as someone has already said?