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"FA rule out Old Firm switch"

taken from ntl:home

the Football Association have brought an end to any hopes of a move into English football by Celtic and Rangers.

The FA's board have made it clear that they would not sanction the Old Firm clubs joining the Football League either next season or in any other season.

Representatives of Celtic and Rangers have held outline talks with the Football League over the possibility of joining the First Division amid an ongoing row over their television deal north of the border.

However, the FA's rules dictate that only English and Welsh clubs can take part in the Premiership and Football League, which are run on a pyramid structure that cannot be circumvented.

Given that Uefa have stressed they would only consider such a move by Celtic and Rangers if the national associations agreed to it, this has effectively killed off the proposal, at least for the time being.

A statement released on the FA's official website said: "The FA today (Tuesday) made it clear that it would not sanction either Celtic or Rangers joining the Nationwide Football League.

"This was discussed at a recent board meeting. The FA have re-confirmed that such a move would be contrary to its policy and against the spirit of fair competition."

The prospect of seeing Rangers and Celtic attempt to claw their way into the Premiership from the 1st division (which is where the FA would introduce them) was something i was looking forward to. Oh well.

Personally i dont believe Celtic or Rangers could ever be anything more than top-rate 1st division sides or bottom half premiership sides...

Being a Rangers supporter living in England I was excited about the prospect of the ammalgamation into the English League. Rangers and upto a point Celtic dominate the Scottish League however as soon as they get into Europe it all goes horribly wrong as we don't have decent quality opposition other than the Old Firm games.
I feel the F.A. have been very shortsighted in refusing them into English League as this would have benefited the smaller English clubs financially especially after the collapse of ITV Digital.

The problem is that if they did joint the english league they would lose all of there privaligies to play in the european competitions.

Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea are all under this UEFA ruling which was put on them when they joined the english league.

But to be honest for the welsh clubs that was the only way to survive and improve. I watched the Welsh Cup on TV the other day. Barry town verses someone.

Barry won 4-1 in the worst football match Ive ever seen. It was like Sunday league. As you know, Barry town always win the league there and always are in the preliminaries of the champions league. But even if the were in the conference they would be wipped every game to be honest.

If Celtic and Rangers were to be included in the nationwide league (and probbly premiership for Celtic the year after) it wouldnt be much of a problem. Just increase the amount of clubs that go out of the league at the bottom for one year.

I would like to see them in the league as theywould bring some quality football with them.

VenomByte wrote:
> "Hey Shearer, Chadwick bedded your sister."


Ooooohhhh, that would surely be beyond the rules, even for Baseketball!

Luke "Fell Out Of The Ugly Tree And Hit Every Branch On The Way Down" Chadwick. He makes every other ugly player in football look like a CK model.

I reckon we should have a similar Psyche out system for Penalties. That could be very entertaining.

"David Beckham steps up for the penalty. He blasts it at the middle every single time, but keepers haven't realised that yet. Here comes Ray Parlour for the psyche out. Beckham starts his run up..."

"Five plus seven"

"And Beckham's hoofed it wide!"


Nobody would ever score a penalty against Man utd....
"Shearer for the penalty. Gary Neville is going to play the psyche out."
"Hey Shearer, Chadwick bedded your sister."

Baseketball is a brilliant film! So, so funny.

Only way that'll ever happen is with an English version of BASEketball.

CRICKby, or FOOTennis or something...

(You're gonna think I'm a complete weirdo if you haven't seen that film)

But then again, it's money ruling over everything else - which is what football needs to move away from, surely?

Additionally, I would say that their entering the first division would be a benefit rather than a hinderance to the nationwide clubs. After the collapse of the ITV digital deal, there is currently no television contract fo coverage of nationwide league matches. This means only a paltry income for these clubs - almost all of whom are already very heavily in debt. The arrival of Celtic and Rangers would bring in several offers - everyone wants to see them in action. It's no coincidence that virtually every testimonial game, and so many friendlys from English clubs are against Rangers or Celtic.

The fans want to see them play in England, an the English clubs want to see them play over here.

You'll find very few clubs more concerned with the 'fairness' of it than the huge financial gains involved.

True, but you knew what I meant... :-)