The spending spree of the “Saudi Pro League” is getting more and more blatant. And the sheikhs already have their next big goal in mind: the Champions League!
Many fans in Europe feared it, now it’s getting serious. Saudi Arabia wants a place in the Champions League. The first talks with Uefa are said to have already taken place.
Champions League: Saudi Arabia is vying for a starting place
Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar and countless other top stars have let Saudi blood money buy them. But what’s the point of all this if no one is watching? Despite the arms race by Al Hilal, Al Nassr & Co., according to surveys, the overwhelming majority of European football fans do not want to watch the “Saudi Professional League” (more here).
No problem – say the sheikhs. If the prophet doesn’t come to the mountain, the mountain has to go to the prophet. As the Italian sports economics newspaper “Calcio e Finanza” reports, Saudi Arabia has approached Uefa with a request for a wildcard spot for the Champions League.
Talks started with Uefa
The first talks are said to have already taken place. A shiver runs down the spine of fans on the old continent. Many saw this coming – now it’s getting concrete. And the Saudis’ chances could be good.
The loss of its top stars also weighs heavily on Uefa. And next year’s big UCL reform would open the door to a wildcard entry. Qualifying for the premier class is being revolutionized, the traditional groups of four are being broken up – so why not give the Saudis a spot as well?
Also exciting:
In times of hyper-commercialization in football, nothing seems impossible. And the fans would also have no hesitation in trusting Uefa, which has been decried as corrupt, to take this step. Still, it would be no less than a football tremor.
2023-08-19 02:36:54
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