Villarreal - Homer is not that pleased anymore
Spanish Villarreal & French Auxerre were both relegated this season. They were brilliant examples of how small-town clubs can prosper with long term planning and without a billionaire that is throwing his money around and “buys success”. Uefa pointed out to these kind of clubs as “perfect” models – good academies, living within their means and very well connected to their communities.
However, what Uefa actually did was to trip them with its archaic models of European Competitions.
A comprehensive research by former Wales’ assistant manager Raymond Verheijen proves that is impossible for teams like Villarreal and Auxerre have no real chance to compete in Europe and be competitive on the domestic front.
Here is the research: New study demonstrates player fatigue is distorting European football
And that’s what Verheijen added: “The results are clear. On the basis of this evidence, I don’t see how the game’s authorities can continue to ask teams to play twice in three days. It is simply not fair play.”
Big teams can go through the domestic and European seasons unhurt because of squad depth. Depth that is a result of great financial muscles. However, smaller clubs don’t have the money for squad depth or for keeping their academy graduates on the long term, and the Uefa’s Financial Fair Play will restrict their abilities to draw investments.
Uefa must change its stupid European competitions system and ridiculous FFP plans or else more teams like Villarreal, Auxerre and Sampdoria will disappear just because they were the “perfect models”.
WHAT TO DO NOW?