If the idea of a breakaway European Super League is an answer to any of football's present ills - then what was the original question?
However, this is what 12 of Europe's leading clubs have proposed; three from Italy (Juventus, AC Milan and Inter); three from Spain (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid) and six from England (Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur).
The idea of a Super League for the elite European clubs has been discussed for a number of years. However, with the pressures of the coronavirus pandemic combined with UEFA's proposals to revamp the Champions League - a 36-team format that would also see two teams qualify on historic merit will replace the current format from 2024 - they decided that now would be the time to act.
So instead of Manchester United vs Barcelona or Real Madrid vs Liverpool fixtures occurring once a season, they will be playing each other on demand.
Amongst those who have condemned the proposals, including ex-players and politicians alike, was former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville. While working as a pundit during Manchester United's Premier League clash with Burnley, Neville described it as a 'criminal act.' Despite spending the entirety of his playing career at the elite end of the game, Neville understands the lower leagues better than most. Not only is he a co-owner of Salford City, his parents both worked for Bury. Indeed, his mum Jill resigned from her positon of club secretary at Gigg Lane shortly before the Shakers were expelled from the Football League in 2019 - due to their ownership issues under the chairmanship of Steve Dale.
Torquay United manager Gary Johnson echoed Neville's sentiments in the Torbay Weekly, describing them as 'absolutely ridiculous and selfish.'
The reality is that the decision hasn't been made with the fans in mind. In fact the plans would be removing the very thing from the game that makes football so popular and so special - the element of surprise. It's this element that has seen Nottingham Forest and Porto twin more European Cups/Champions Leagues than several of the the Super League's potential entrants. Forest won back-to-back European Cups under the late Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980. Porto have also claimed the prize twice, in 1987 and 2004 respectively.
If there is no romance in football any more, as many cynics often claim, then a European Super League is it's ultimate marriage of convenience.
