The Football News Thread 2020/21

[Paul]

A safe bet in life is to always take the opposite opinion on current affairs to Karl Henry (c.f. Paul on TWF too)

Excuse me ??? That's a bit out of order isn't it ?

 

[Law's Bus]

Well said Wolves.

Wolves condemn proposed breakaway Super League

Wolves have released the following statement, condemning the proposed breakaway Super League, and the owners and executives of its 12 ‘Founding Clubs’.

www.wolves.co.uk

That's brilliant. We are unbelievably lucky to have Fosun.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Wolves have released the following statement, condemning the proposed breakaway Super League, and the owners and executives of its 12 ‘Founding Clubs’.​

Like most members of the Premier League and EFL, at Wolves we have a rich history spanning nearly 150 years.
At periods of that history, we were one of the most successful and decorated clubs in England, falling out of country’s top three just once over a nine-year period and winning the league three times.
But at others we tumbled down the leagues, spending seasons in the second, third and fourth tiers, almost going out of existence on more than one occasion.

In sport, nothing is forever; champions come and go, dynasties disappear, sleeping giants awake and new challengers test the status quo. That is the beauty of sport, and what epitomises the beautiful game.
Football is about fight, competition, ups and downs. Uncertainty is there to be embraced, not to be protected from.
Unfortunately, a group of individuals, who own some of Europe’s proudest football clubs, have proven to the world that they are afraid of that uncertainty.

European football is the pinnacle of the domestic game, and the prize for success in leagues across Europe, with no limitations on who can qualify, as long as it is on sporting merit.
But these individuals have plotted and schemed to find a way to exist in a small and comfortable bubble, free from the challenge of fair competition. And now they have united the whole of the football world against them.
As a foreign owner, Fosun came to the UK in 2016 and embraced our club, our history and our supporters, but also the country and its proud traditions, one of which is the most historic football system in the world.
That sense of competition is what appealed most to Fosun then, and still just as strongly now. Our promotion and relegation systems, built on solid foundations of competition and fairness, create promise, ambition, success and failure – all of which are essential in the sport.


If you work hard enough and operate with greater intelligence and commitment than your competitors, you will be successful, you can challenge the top clubs and rise to their level through your own efforts, and that cannot change.
The plans for this breakaway league represent the complete opposite. They present values which contradict that of Wolves and Fosun tremendously, which is why Wolves would categorically reject any invitation of involvement in the future.
Regardless of the level this football club operates at, we will always require open competition, and condemn schemes which protect its clubs’ standings at the top of the game. That simply isn’t the football that attracted Fosun to a founder member of the Football League five years ago.

We must be clear that we do not condemn the clubs involved, nor their manager or players, but the people in charge who have undermined both us as a competitor and English football as a whole by making this decision.
We hope and believe the campaign will be withdrawn, but regardless expect English football to continue to prosper and evolve each year, while maintaining the entertainment and competitiveness it has held for more than 100 years.
As a club, we will continue to compete and represent our global fanbase with pride and passion, both on and off the pitch. The supporters are the lifeblood of this football club, and we take great pride in representing them every single day.
Fosun made a commitment in 2016 when they took over this historic football club and have displayed their dedication since, taking Wolves on a journey from the Championship to the Europa League – an example of the type of ascent which makes English football so special.

That commitment stands just as strong now, in 2021, as it did five years ago. Fosun remain completely devoted to Wolves and harbour the same sizeable ambitions, which they hope to achieve through a meticulous, long-term plan.
Ideally, that plan can be realised in the English football system as we know it, with the fairness of competition; but regardless, Wolves and the English football pyramid will prosper with or without those who are willing to destroy more than a century of tradition and bring our beloved game into disrepute.

 

[Dire Wolf]

That statement from Wolves is just about the best thing I have read on the whole situation. It gets everything right that the big 6 got wrong. Amazing.

 

[Tredman]

Excuse me ??? That's a bit out of order isn't it ?

Pipe down unless you are going to back it up with political campaigning or a court case

 

[Johnny75]

Spanish Court grants injunction against anybody defaming the super league including FIFA and UEFA. Apparently this is commonplace and has been done under the guise of anti-competition laws.

The laws prevent FIFA, UEFA and any governing bodies taking action against any party involved in the set up of the league.

The Super League is based in Madrid.

The EU should be stepping in now.

I have no knowledge of sports law but as we are now outside the EU I presume our 6 clubs can be smashed to bits accordingly.

 

[AndyWolves]

Petr Cech talking to Chelsea fans, I think he says "I know. Give us time"

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384558094798270471

 

[AndyWolves]

There's a fair few of them

 

[BGreenWolf]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384563875018952709

*sad trombone noises*

 

[AndyWolves]

Luke Shaw

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384562931833114627

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

SSN saying they have pulled out.

 

[Law's Bus]

SSN saying they have pulled out.

Whilst my head is glad of that, my heart says "should have bloody thought about that first" and wants them punished still.

 

[Tredman]

Whilst my head is glad of that, my heart says "should have bloody thought about that first" and wants them punished still.

Absolutely. They need to be punished, relegation ought to do it.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I would still give them a points deduction and transfer ban for even considering the idea and point out that the points deductions will increase for the others the longer they entertain this shite.

 

[redvictor]

That statement from Wolves is just about the best thing I have read on the whole situation. It gets everything right that the big 6 got wrong. Amazing.

Agreed. It shows they not only care, they are of the right stuff. We are lucky to have them with us.

 

[Boozad]

They should all be punished regardless of the outcome solely for signing the contracts in the first place. I'd like to see them expelled from English football completely but that will never happen.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Chelsea 20 point deduction and two window transfer ban. One year ban from UEFA competition.
Second team to withdraw 30 point deduction and three window ban. Two years out of Europe.
Etc

Any team actually kicking a ball in it, permanent expulsion from the English football period.

 

[jd1981]

City pulling out to now apparently what cowards, nothing will happen to them from the PL view point. Probably the threat of being booted out the CL has pushed them to far

 

[Kenny]

Looking forward to the Super League where Real Madrid and Barca take it in turns to beat Spurs for 30 weeks.

 

[Tredman]

I’d pay to watch that.