UEFA would not stop Rangers and Celtic move to EPL - TalkSoccer

**The Blue Flag** · 21-04-2009, 14:37

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Uefa would not oppose Celtic and Rangers joining an English Premier League, with any decision being down to the leagues and associations involved.

Football's European governing body responded after Bolton chairman Phil Gartside floated a plan to include both teams in a two-tier Premier League.

A meeting of Premier League shareholders is happening on Thursday.

But the controversial plan, for two divisions of 18 teams, will not be formally discussed.

And the idea would have to overcome a number of obstacles if it was to come to fruition.

The Premier League, the Football Association, their Scottish counterparts and the Football League would all have to give their approval.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are likely to be against the plan as it would affect their income.

Others such as Aston Villa, Tottenham and Everton, who may consider it unlikely they would ever drop out of a 20-team Premier League, may also have misgivings.

Mid-table clubs might also struggle to cope with a drop in television money as the cash is spread more widely.

A Premier League spokesman said: "We haven't seen any proposal and therefore are unable to comment."

In theory, any addition of the Old Firm to an English league could provide a stiffer test for Scotland's top two clubs and generate more enthusiasm from broadcasters and fans.

That would make up some of the money each club would lose if the Premier League is expanded from 20 to 36 clubs.

At the moment, teams relegated to the Championship are given £11.5m a year for two years because of the lost television income when they drop out of the top flight and are not promoted back into it.

Gartside's plan, which will need the approval of 14 out of 20 Premier League chairmen, would offer more financial stability to teams in the lower half of the Premier League, who would then be able to plan for the future with greater certainty.

Uefa, the European governing body, has consistently said that teams will not be allowed to play in leagues outside their own country.

However, the Uefa director of communications, William Gaillard, said the matter would be something to be decided between the leagues and associations involved.

"We wouldn't take a position on such a proposal," Gaillard told BBC Scotland.

This has been brought up before and although I would love to see it happen, it would take a long time for a proposal like this to even be discussed officially.

Trim · 21-04-2009, 15:12

Wow, this is really interesting. Unlikely to happen in the near future though, I think.

**Dragoen** · 21-04-2009, 16:33

I don't like this idea. This somehow seems to be an atempt to strip Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland of their national teams.

**The Blue Flag** · 22-04-2009, 13:28

I would like to see this happen in the long term. To be totally honest, Rangers and Celtic NEED to move from the SPL as it holds us back financially.

Europe's clubs are getting richer and richer and we are falling back. Champions League qualification is so important to both because of the money it generates. (Rangers have struggled financially this season because we failed to make it past the qualifying stage)

There would be a lot of areas that would need looked at if this were to happen and it would take a few years at least to get this up and running but I think a lot of people would be in favour for the move.

Interesting part is the EPL 2 which means clubs relegated from EPL1 would not suffer as seriously financially. I think because of this more english clubs are willing to look at the possibility of turning this idea into reality.

kylecfclfc · 29-04-2009, 19:05

I doubt its going to happen for another 10 years. But Rangers and Celtic have to move. They are obviously the best 2 teams in Scotland, and the SPL just gets boring after while because of it. And there is more money in the Premiership which will benefit Celtic and Rangers.

kenny hoggan · 16-06-2009, 12:54

not been on here in ages and i can see theres been more Old firm influence,

i think youll find that the old firm are loosing more games again "lesser opposition" than usual, they would be easily relegated from the premiership.

They think there giant killers, they get the odd result in europe, both would fail to do it week in week out.

**The Blue Flag** · 17-06-2009, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny hoggan

not been on here in ages and i can see theres been more Old firm influence,

i think youll find that the old firm are loosing more games again "lesser opposition" than usual, they would be easily relegated from the premiership.

They think there giant killers, they get the odd result in europe, both would fail to do it week in week out.

Im sorry mate, but that is a ridiculous comment. Rangers and Celtic would not be relegated from the Premiership. No way, not even close.

No chance.

Also, Rangers and Celtic lost 4 games each this season, and most of them were to each other, resulting in Celtic finishing 2nd (23 points ahead of 3rd place) and Rangers 27 points ahead finishing as Champions.

kenny hoggan · 18-06-2009, 20:26

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Im sorry mate, but that is a ridiculous comment. Rangers and Celtic would not be relegated from the Premiership. No way, not even close.

If teams in the SPL can take a points from celtic and rangers then any team in the premiership would take all three.

You both think you are much better than you really are. Your the only two teams in scotland with any money. Hence buying players you dont need. I think you under estimate how good low finishing premierleague teams and championship teams are.

unitedfan · 03-07-2009, 13:50

This would be an awful thing to happen. You can argue it wouldn't happen, fair enough, but what if Celtic and Rangers DID get relegated from the Premiership? The reputation of Scottish football would plummet. Besides, it would be too difficult to implement.

I don't think this is the answer to improvinng Scottish football. I think British football on the whole should be improved - get the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FA's all under one British FA that can distribute the money a bit more evenly, enough, at least, to get all of these leagues taken seriously. The national team setup would remain the same, as a British FA would only have responsablity for league football and young player developement.

**The Blue Flag** · 04-07-2009, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny hoggan

If teams in the SPL can take a points from celtic and rangers then any team in the premiership would take all three

Inter Milan dont lose games to smaller teams in Serie A?

Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal etc don't lose to smaller teams ever? Even Barcelona lose the odd game in La Liga to smaller teams.

I fail to see your point on this.

I am not disputing the fact that the lower teams in the Premiership are not good sides, and I think the Championship is an excellent league.

My point is that if Rangers and Celtic did enter the Premiership they would attract more cash from TV etc (both have HUGE fan-bases) and therefore they would attract a higher quality of player by being able to compete with the wages offered by English clubs meaning that they could easily compete in the EPL.

They would not be relegated, even with the current squads they have just now. They would definitely finish in the top half.