Two of the biggest Romand papers had articles about the proposed league: 24heures: http://www.24heures.ch/home/journal/sportauj/index.php?Page_ID=6447&art_id=22273&Rubrique=Sport and Le Matin: Here is a brief review of the articles: Today in Vienna, the two leagues will talk. The plan is "heartly supported" by Peter Westenhaler, director of the Austrian Bundesliga, and "supported" by Franck Stronach, LN president. Basel, GCZ, St. Gallan are on board and the Romand teams are iffy. "I am convinced that matches against Basel and GCZ strenghten the attractness of the league", affirmed Peter Westenhaler. Pierre Aeschlimann president of Servette FC had three financial questions: 1.Will this bring a new audience? 2.Will there be more sponsors? 3.Will TV revenue increase? He continued: "Frankly," said Pierre Aeschlimann, " there needs to first be a stabilization in our [Swiss] clubs before we talk of a unified league. Swiss Football needs to rediscover its vigor, and the regions need to be represented among the elite. For the LNA with ten teams, there needs to be at least three clubs Romands so that there is a certain balance. In my opinion, there are more urgent things to do than organise a league with a country that is near the bottom of the european football scene. At first view, I am not very positive towards this project." UEFA is also another hurdle that would have to be jumped over. For this league to happen, there would have to be approval from them. "First, the two federations need to come to an agreement and present a complete plan to UEFA. Only then, will UEFA make a decision on this case. But it is certain that in the past UEFA has not been very favorable to these types of changes. We prefer that the clubs stay in their country so they compete in their nations competition. Following that, there would be other problems to resolve, for example qualifications for the European championships. All that needs to be looked at. But we are not there yet ..." There is also a proposal for a Alpine Cup to be played in June. Where selected teams from both countries will compete, and a champion be crowned. Not a whole lot of new info in these articles. But it is interesting to hear UEFA's side of the arguement. It seems that they would have to be mightly convinced to allow this to happen. The arguement that Uefa likes clubs to participate in their own nations leagues is the biggest hinderent. But it is also the thing that is keeping the Superleague from being formed (Thank goodness). It will be interesting to see what is the result of the talks in the next few days.
From Uefa.com: http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/Kind=256/newsId=63955.html Reports in Swiss newspaper 24Heures suggest that Austria and Switzerland have held talks in Vienna with a view to forming a new league together. Peter Westenhaler, director of the Austrian Bundesliga, and Swiss First Division president Franck Stronach are among a number of senior figures in the two nations who will jointly host UEFA EURO 2008. "I am convinced that matches against FC Basel and Grasshopper-Club would be very attractive for teams from our league," said Westenhaler. All concerned with the putative project knew that it would be difficult to persuade UEFA to accept their plan. The article quotes a UEFA spokesperson as saying: "The two federations would have to present a complete dossier to us. Then and only then would UEFA come to a conclusion about this possibility. But it is certain that we do not generally favour such changes. We prefer that clubs remain within their country to dispute a national competition. Then, there would be another problem to solve, namely that of qualification for the European cups."
Here here!!! That's what I like about how soccer is for the most part: leagues representing singular countries. I don't care how weak Austria or Switzerland thinks they are, they certainly are not the two lowest ranked countries in the world! I really wish Canada and the U.S. would stop being united in one system as well. Unfortunately, that looks even less likely considering how linked our two countries are in other sports and other aspects of life. As far as UEFA qualification and such issues, I really hope they remain firm and do not acknowledge this league. Although I'm certainly not against seeing some sort of friendly tournament come to fruition between the two countries. That's something I'd also like to see for North America if Canada gets itself in gear and develops its own system.
For those unawares: Here is the link to an extensive thread on this topic. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36498 I agree with you Footie Man, I am for seperate leagues. The Alpine Cup seems like a good middle ground on this, and I imagine that it will be implemented in lieu of the combined league.