JRedknapp11
12 Aug 2002, 02:08 AM
A new twist on the Atlantic League concept, consisting of sides from some of western Europe's middle-ranking nations emerged this week. A winter North Atlantic League Cup has been mooted, involving clubs from Scotland, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. The Independent, a British newspaper, reports: "Scottish Premier League [SPL] chairman Lex Gold has revealed that the Scots are in negotiations with the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark over staging the competition, which would take place during the SPL winter break." The report reveals that "the Belgian side [R.] Standard [de] Liège are reportedly the driving force behind the tournament, which would pit the top four SPL clubs against the top four in each of the other countries in a 16-team event", although teams still in UEFA competitions would be ineligible. However, the article adds: "UEFA insists full agreement between all competing national associations must be given before any progress can be made in establishing a North Atlantic League Cup."