UEFA president today said that the rule only allowing four clubs in any one season to compete in the Champions League is not a punishment for Tottenham. While I agree with that view, this rule is anti English.
The rule change which occurred in 2005 due to Liverpool winning the Champions League and finishing fifth was to prevent more than four teams from one nation playing in the Champions League.
Of course this rule can only apply to three countries at present. England, Spain and Italy. Looking back at the last ten years or so the winners have been: Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter, Manchester United, Milan, Porto and Real Madrid.
It is the result of the Premier League's success that it would be possible to have a winner from any of six teams, whereas other nations such as Italy, Germany and Spain are very limited. Having a strong league therefore penalises sides for their success not reward them.
Platini has shown his anti Premier League hand on a number of occasions and it is no coincidence that the first time this rule has applied, it has effected an English team. He will use the excuse of the Champions League containing 32 teams and there would not be room to accommodate one more team. This is a ridiculous notion as I am sure it must be very important to have national champions of countries like Albania, Andorra, San Marino, Luxembourg etc. to retain their position.
To me the Champions League should contain the best teams in Europe against each other, and love then or hate them, Spurs are one of the best.
Please UEFA put football first and your political posturing second.
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