Wednesday's soccer news starts with the Europa Conference League, UEFA's return to three European competitions. The Europa Conference League slots in beneath the Europa League to give opportunities to clubs representing leagues not likely to advance to the group stage of the Champions League. If you though that's what the Europa League was for, a merger of the old UEFA Cup and Cup Winners' Cup, . . .
What did we learn from the 2020-21 European soccer season?
By J Hutcherson (May 25, 2021) US Soccer Players - There's a difference between what we learned and what we think we learned from European soccer during the 2020-21 season. The big picture takeaway is that the game survived without the event revenue from tickets, concessions, and merchandise. The quicker takeaway is that a dozen of Europe's biggest clubs decided that they should be in control of . . .
The push for change in English soccer after The Super League
The soccer news starts with English soccer pundits calling for government regulation in the aftermath of The Super League attempt at a breakaway competition. Gary Neville posted an open letter to Medium on behalf of a group of television pundits and journalists that is already gaining wide support in England. It asks for "Government legislation to block any Premier League clubs attempting to . . .
Infantino asks about salary caps
By J Hutcherson (May 11, 2021) US Soccer Players - If you're looking for the European equivalent of talking about promotion and relegation as an answer to American soccer's problems, it might be salary caps. Except in Europe, the people most likely doing that talking are already in positions of power. For example, FIFA president Gianni Infantino. In an interview with AS circulated across other . . .
Will The Super League collapse change European soccer?
By J Hutcherson (Apr 27, 2021) US Soccer Players - It's hard to believe that something that seemed crucial just a week ago is now not much more than a punchline. Imagine the business school instructor trying to use The Super League as a case study a few years from now. "So after an initial leak during Sunday's games, the whole thing was over in 48 hours. Somehow, it involved governments, fans, and . . .
The quick demise of The Super League
Wednesday's soccer news starts with The Super League falling apart two days after the initial announcement. Facing mounting pressure from soccer's bureaocracy and fans, the Premier League clubs were the first to withdraw. All six released statements on Tuesday night, confirming that they were no longer willing to go ahead with an alternative Champions League. Media reports had Barcelona, Atletico . . .
The Super League takes over the converation in Europe
Monday's soccer news starts with a group of Europe's elite clubs pressing ahead with their own Champions League alternative. A day before UEFA met over a Champions League revamp, the news leaked of a breakaway midweek competition. It wasn't a complete breakaway, but even the rumors were enough to send UEFA and the domestic leagues on the offensive. UEFA made it clear that they wouldn't tolerate . . .
Champions League changes wait a month
Wednesday's soccer news starts with the difference between a delay and a reevaluation. UEFA formally postponed a decision on the future of the Champions League until next month. European soccer's governing body originally set today to vote on changes to their marquee club tournament in advance of the 2024-25 season. Reports have UEFA pushing for the Swiss system that would dramatically increase . . .
UEFA may be pushing for even more change
By J Hutcherson (Mar 30, 2021) US Soccer Players - It's probably easier to look at what might not be changing in the way European club soccer runs. We already knew about the various ideas for revamping the Champions League, the threat of a super league, and FIFA's push for a bigger Club World Cup. Now, there are reports that UEFA is considering doing away with Financial Fair Play. That comes at a . . .
UEFA’s interesting approach to World Cup qualifying
Wednesday's soccer news starts with World Cup qualifying getting underway in Europe and Concacaf. Those two confederations are the last to join the party, with AFC and CAF starting the long road to 2022 in 2019 and CONMEBOL last October. Unlike Concacaf, UEFA starts with all 55 of its countries involved, divided into groups of five or six teams. March is a three-game window in Europe, meaning . . .
