Eircom League votes on radical revamp [Archive] - Page 3

sligoman

25/01/2006, 9:22 PM

Just curious but why are Bohs out of this. We have the biggest support in Dublin based on the attendances here, not much more than Shels but still the biggest. We own our own ground, unlike Shels, Rovers and sort of Pats who own most of theirs. We are the oldest club and after Rovers probably the best known in Dublin. also to Bohs fans where do these rumours come from that the FAI want us out? Not doubting it but is there not an over reaction to rumours.and Sligo Rovers too?:confused:.

pineapple stu

25/01/2006, 9:38 PM

:rolleyes:
Ah the "club" invited Genesis to come down and have an open forum.
The NLSA also invited Genesis to an open forum. They weren't interested. They weren't even interested in the second consultation mentioned in their own report. You can't blame people for being cynical when the only people Genesis are talking to are from the club who stand to gain most.

We'll be there on merit as will any other team who gets there.The league needs re-structuring...it has to start somewhere.If you want to talk about getting there on football grounds...GUFC will win the league this year anyway.;)
Galway will not be there on merit, nor will a lot of teams who get there. The teams who have won the places on merit will be the 12 teams who qualify through the league on the pitch this season. It's quite simple really. Maybe Galway will win the First or the play-off, but until then, they should not be invited to the Premier Division.

With respect pineapple, some of them don't as there is now way they have the facilities deemed neccesary by the club license
Incorrect actually - the facilities section was overlooked last year in favour of getting the other four sections in order. Also, in acknowledgement of the fact that clubs can't turn around and install 1500 seats while the FAI are busy getting the grant money frozen, plans for a new ground are allowed in lieu for the time being. That covers quite a lot of the teams you're alluding to.

Dodge

25/01/2006, 9:41 PM

"overlooked" you say... That doens't mean they weren't there...

pineapple stu

25/01/2006, 9:48 PM

Overlooked is the wrong word, sorry. It was said in the UEFA Licencing manual for 2005 that facilities would not be a criterion last season. (They were all B or C requirements or something).

Mr A

25/01/2006, 9:55 PM

Given that clubs also don't have to have a current tax cert this year, the financial requirements are a bit lax as well....

Breifne

25/01/2006, 10:27 PM

Given that clubs also don't have to have a current tax cert this year, the financial requirements are a bit lax as well....

I have to say i'm getting bored with all this conjecture and crap. Just because it's printed here doesn't make it fact. Clubs do need a tax clearance cert to obtain a licence, just like the "overlooked" facilities issue is actually where clubs have shown the FAI their 5 year Infrastructure Development plan, which would have everything up to premier division standard by five years time.

I think people should actually go to the bother of reading the manual for the licensing application (all 100+ pages of it.)

MariborKev

25/01/2006, 10:41 PM

I think people should actually go to the bother of reading the manual for the licensing application (all 100+ pages of it.)

Perhaps those in the Licensing Department could get the ball rolling and read it themselves.......

Mr A

25/01/2006, 10:56 PM

Having a current tax certificate is not an A requirement, it's a C requirement. Just because it's on this board doesn't mean it's not true, and I'm pretty sure on this one.

OneRedArmy

26/01/2006, 12:01 AM

The responses on here are unsurprising.

Broadly, the fans of those clubs who will most likely fail to meet enhanced infrastructure and other requirements which will necessitate significantly increased revenue are firmly against. This are the turkeys who won't vote for Christmas and to be honest I don't blame them. Why sign your own death warrant, ie effectively condemning yourself to First Division obscurity ad infinitum?

But to mix metaphors completely :D I'd say the bus will be leaving soon whether the turkeys are on it or not. Maybe not this season, but given that exploratory discussions have taken place re an All-Ireland League, some sort of radical shake up that involves cherry-picking teams isn't far away (whether through subjective or "objective" means).

Whilst this thread has been dominated by fans of clubs who have every right to be threatened, lets not make assumptions based on this that this is soley the idea of the FAI. I'd say it has a lot of support, maybe not 2/3rd majority, but certainly 2/3 of the revenue in the League. And in the professional game, thats what counts.

Dodge

26/01/2006, 7:18 AM

Whilst this thread has been dominated by fans of clubs who have every right to be threatened, lets not make assumptions based on this that this is soley the idea of the FAI. I'd say it has a lot of support, maybe not 2/3rd majority, but certainly 2/3 of the revenue in the League. And in the professional game, thats what counts.
I'm not sure thats true. We've Derry, Cork and Longford fans on here and everyone agrees they're pretty much guarenteed to be in there. The people posting here are the same people who usually post about this thing.

Just wondering how you reckon 2/3 of the league's revenue is made up?

Macy

26/01/2006, 8:17 AM

I'm against any factors which cannot be quantified coming into the equation (marketabilty etc)
Exactly. And there also should be required standards not some ranking system that they'll make up at the time that they can change to suit who they want in.

Macy

26/01/2006, 8:24 AM

Compare these leaks about formats, rule changes etc to the leaks about Staunton getting the international job. Is this the FAI throwing the info out there to get the negative reaction out of the way before the official launch? Given it's a proven FAI tatic, maybe the people writting it off should take it a bit more seriously.

gufct

26/01/2006, 8:31 AM

That's all because Galway have been selected as a team to get an automatic promotion. Why did genesis visit you and no other club? The clubs chalked down for a automatic relegation could work as hard as they liked and would still be relegated.

and John McNiece was coming to Galway on business so we set up a general forum open to everyone and advertised it.We had upto 80 people including a large group of local business leaders and politicians as well as fans.It was one of the most informative meetings we ever had and Genesis were only a small part of it we had other presentations there as well.

Every club in the country should be holding open forums like this so their supporters can see what if any work the clubs are doing to ensure they make the cut in 2007.

pineapple stu

26/01/2006, 9:05 AM

Because we asked them...Every club in the country should be holding open forums like this so their supporters can see what if any work the clubs are doing to ensure they make the cut in 2007.
What a superb idea. Maybe the NLSA should get in touch with Genesis to set up a forum among other clubs. Oh no wait - they did and Genesis said they couldn't be bothered/"didn't have the time".

Genesis are every bit as corrupt/incompetent as the FAI and it's a disgrace that any sort of ridiculous proposal like this can be made on a report such as theirs. Galway fans would really want to start thinking about the league in general ahead of their own club. Because the way the FAI want to do things, we'll be left with about eight or nine clubs in a few years' time, with everyone else gone bust.

bohs til i die

26/01/2006, 9:07 AM

There is a lot wrong with football in this country. Those problems wont be solved with franchises or possible marketability. Proper application of the Licence scheme, proper plans for stadium development and proper funding from Government level is required. Most of all league placings should be decided on the pitch. If a club fails to meet the Licence criteria, there should be pre-agreed punishments [points deductions] for different crimes.

Higgins,

If Shels win the title this year and then get told they are in Division 1 next year, are you seriously suggesting you'd just accept it and get on with it? If so you are an idiot. If you want Franchise football then go to America. I see absolutely no reason why any EL fan, who is a football fan at the end of the day, should accept franchise football.I think it will be the death of clubs. Much as I despise Shels & Rovers, dislike Pats as a rival club, I can still respect the true fans of these clubs because like me they support an EL team.

Breifne

26/01/2006, 9:37 AM

I think people should actually go to the bother of reading the manual for the licensing application (all 100+ pages of it.)

Took my own advice, because i was outraged that the tax clearance issue could possibly be a B or C criteria.

The facts are:

LEG 1.06 (Tax Clearance Certificate)
The Licence Applicant must provide the Licensor with a copy of its Tax Clearance Certificate for the most recent tax year.
If the Licence applicant is not the trading entity of the football club, then the Tax Clearance Certificate for the trading entity must be submitted in addition to that of the Licence Applicant.

UEFA & Premier Licence: A Criteria
First Division Licence: B Criteria

For the record this is what is meant by A, B or C criteria (just to quote fact, not conjecture)

A Criteria (in general)
Must be fulfilled as indicated. However the manual offers possible alternatives to fulfil certain criteria. Non-fulfilment of the criteria will result in the Licence Applicant being refused a licence and the club may not be granted admission to the FAI National League Premier Division and UEFA Club Competitions

B Criteria (in general)
Must be fulfilled as indicated. Non fulfilment of the criteria will result in the club being sanctioned as described in the FAI Club Licensing Manual, but cannot lead to exclusion from the FAI National League Premier Division and UEFA Club Competitions.

C Criteria (in general)
Best Practice is recommended only, thus the Licence Applicant has no obligation to fulfil the criteria for the moment. However, these criteria may be re-categorised as A, B or C criteria at a future stage.

Jerry The Saint

26/01/2006, 9:53 AM

have a league based on who can sell the most shirts

This part I agree with. As Genesis use this site to research the eircom League (see Attendance figures in the report), this will guarantee a place for Pats and Dublin City. I'm sure they could ask the manager of Champion Sports on Grafton Street to get figures for the remaining 8 clubs to make up the new Prim-�ire Liga.

Poor Student

26/01/2006, 10:00 AM

I'm sure they could ask the manager of Champion Sports on Grafton Street to get figures for the remaining 8 clubs to make up the new Prim-�ire Liga.

Nah, that would be too much trouble for the boys at Genesis.

monutdfc

26/01/2006, 10:10 AM

Bald Student

26/01/2006, 10:13 AM

monutdfc

26/01/2006, 10:19 AM

Won't get a vote on the new proposals, or the eL/FAI merger.
-ie teams who don't get a licence become non-voting members of the league

ps why do I have a logo beside my name now?
pps that should be a red hand of Ulster in the middle of the creast, not a flaming flame ;)

BohDiddley

26/01/2006, 10:26 AM

The other frightening thing is that we all know that using the eL section of the Genesis report as a point of reference is both frightening and laughable. We all know it contains the professionalism and quality level of a primary school project. That's not even an exaguration. The attendance figures from both the eL and other sports used as a comparison as sketchy and wrong.
This is the single most important point made in the discussion so far. Those wishing to portray themselves as forward-thinking realists -- the kind of reflex guff we hear so often these days -- are waving the Genesis Report in the air as if it alone held the key to salvation. One is reminded of the scene in Toy Story where those little green toys gaze heaven-ward chanting 'The Claw!'. 'The Claw!'.
The Genesis Report is worse than useless: it is misleading. By saying that EL football is effectively dead, it is directing the debate into very dangerous territory. We are now, it seems, in a place where careerists and corporatists who evidently know and care more about football played elsewhere simply want to be seen to be doing something ... anything, at whatever cost to the game at home. Even the rumour or suggestion that they may be contemplating relegating a club like Bohemian FC at the stroke of a pen begs the question: are they mad or bad?

Sheridan

26/01/2006, 10:56 AM

What I've heard is that clubs who fail to get a licence will be allowed to play in the league, but won't get a vote. There's enough subjectivity in the licence criteria to ensure that it will only take the smallest bit of gerrymandering to ensure that the proposals get through
That sounds disquietingly plausible.

Thoroughly disillusioned by this whole episode (not for partisan reasons - I have an inkling that City will return to the First Division next season regardless, whether by FAIr means or foul) and I'm afraid that all the indignation we can muster will prove insufficient to stay the hand of bureaucracy.

Such initiatives as these carry an irresistible momentum of their own, and this proposal hasn't arisen autogenetically (that is to say, without at least tacit approval from prominent figures within the league.) As yesterday's kite-flying exercise in the national newspapers plainly evinced, the support of an ignorant media has already been secured (presumably with the magic words "to supply players for the national team.")

Even if the league were to be reconstituted along supposedly optimal lines, can you imagine a body to whom one would be less inclined to entrust that responsibility than the FAI?

One hates to play Cassandra, but I think this is the beginning of the end, fellas.

Roverstillidie

26/01/2006, 11:27 AM

Jesus, sheridan writes exactly like Rico!!!

Rory H

26/01/2006, 11:29 AM

someone ask rico who cassandra is

BohDiddley

26/01/2006, 11:29 AM

Not so. Sheridan makes sense.

sonofstan

26/01/2006, 11:30 AM

This is the single most important point made in the discussion so far. Those wishing to portray themselves as forward-thinking realists -- the kind of reflex guff we hear so often these days -- are waving the Genesis Report in the air as if it alone held the key to salvation. One is reminded of the scene in Toy Story where those little green toys gaze heaven-ward chanting 'The Claw!'. 'The Claw!'.
The Genesis Report is worse than useless: it is misleading. By saying that EL football is effectively dead, it is directing the debate into very dangerous territory. We are now, it seems, in a place where careerists and corporatists who evidently know and care more about football played elsewhere simply want to be seen to be doing something ... anything, at whatever cost to the game at home. Even the rumour or suggestion that they may be contemplating relegating a club like Bohemian FC at the stroke of a pen begs the question: are they mad or bad?
in a nutshell, as usual. The question is can we - the league I mean, not bohs - save ourselves? To my mind the only possible exit strategy is an all ireland league, entirely independent of either the FAI or the IFA. This will take money and vision and a certain amount of pride swallowing; the alternative is the death of real football here and its replacement by a soulless franchise operation.

OneRedArmy

26/01/2006, 12:08 PM

That sounds disquietingly plausible.

Thoroughly disillusioned by this whole episode (not for partisan reasons - I have an inkling that City will return to the First Division next season regardless, whether by FAIr means or foul) and I'm afraid that all the indignation we can muster will prove insufficient to stay the hand of bureaucracy.

Such initiatives as these carry an irresistible momentum of their own, and this proposal hasn't arisen autogenetically (that is to say, without at least tacit approval from prominent figures within the league.) As yesterday's kite-flying exercise in the national newspapers plainly evinced, the support of an ignorant media has already been secured (presumably with the magic words "to supply players for the national team.")

Even if the league were to be reconstituted along supposedly optimal lines, can you imagine a body to whom one would be less inclined to entrust that responsibility than the FAI?

One hates to play Cassandra, but I think this is the beginning of the end, fellas.
......The beginning of the end of Dublin City I'm sure, although one would hope Mr Seery's money would be invested elsewhere in a more sustainable franchise, that is if he really is committed to domestic football rather than ego building.

I do agree with the point on trusting the FAI based on past performances.

Playing devil advocate, the frustrations of those with an agenda for change also have to be taken into account.

Every time organisational standards are improved, the clubs, yes, the clubs, have taken action to weaken or stall the implementation or otherwise bend the rules.

This short-termist self interest is because some clubs are maximising their performance potential based on where the League currently is and an increase in expenditure standards and the like, will, frankly, leave them behind and they have no desire to participate.

Domestic soccer is, by and large, absolutely stagnant, facilities are worse than poor and attendences are atrocious for what is the country's most popular sport. As Bohs fans would say FACT.

I'll say again, everyone nods their head and says they are totally in favour of change, but practice tells a different story.

Genesis isn't perfect, they are management consultants after all, but should be viewed as a glorified discussion document which will hopefully lead to RADICAL CHANGE.

These comments are of course my general view, I'd be as heartbroken as anyone else if my own club was forced out in the shake-up.

pineapple stu

26/01/2006, 12:28 PM

This short-termist self interest is because some clubs are maximising their performance potential based on where the League currently is and an increase in expenditure standards and the like, will, frankly, leave them behind and they have no desire to participate.
The only short-termist self-interest is from clubs like Galway (who stand to get promoted for no reason other than where they're based) and Derry (who stand to never ever get relegated again). There is no short-termism on behalf of the opposing clubs as you seem intent on pointing out. Ironically though, for those clubs, there is only short-term. The First Division clubs, effecticely excluded from promotion under the arbitrary criteria, will go under in a matter of years from pure apathy. Brilliant for the game, I'm sure you'll agree.

Genesis isn't perfect, they are management consultants after all, but should be viewed as a glorified discussion document which will hopefully lead to RADICAL CHANGE.
No, Genesis isn't perfect. In fact, its conclusions are based on lies, white lies and plagiarised guesstimates. It's a disgrace of a report and a disgrace that clubs could be put out of business because of the ineptitude of this shower. The eL has already had RADICAL CHANGE - it's gone to summer soccer, had massively improved prize funds, had the Setanta Cup, had extra media coverage, etc. It's shown progress - 27th best league in Europe this year - good enough, if we can do it for five years, to get a bye to QR2 of the Champions' League. Why not let this RADICAL CHANGE play itself out to its full conclusion instead of f*cking half the league's clubs over?

gufct

26/01/2006, 2:43 PM

your assumption that Galway will simply get in because where we are situated thats bull***t.

No one is guarenteed a place in the league without meeting basic criteria as set down in the UEFA Licensing Manual which has been flaunted by the majority of clubs in the league while those who try to put the cart before the horse (ie. long term sustainability against short term glory) are slagged off. Its time everyone got real a major change is coming down the tracks and either Clubs get their asses in gear or they will go to the wall.

Bald Student

26/01/2006, 2:52 PM

If what you're saying gufct turns out to be true then I'll apologise. I've read the UEFA License document and there's nothing in it which UCD should fail on. So if UCD are one of the clubs to make the premier then you'll have been correct.

I suspect, perhaps wrongly, that UCD will not be selected for the premier despite achieving the licensing criteria.

pineapple stu

26/01/2006, 2:52 PM

No one is guarenteed a place in the league without meeting basic criteria as set down in the UEFA Licensing Manual which has been flaunted by the majority of clubs in the league while those who try to put the cart before the horse (ie. long term sustainability against short term glory) are slagged off. Its time everyone got real a major change is coming down the tracks and either Clubs get their asses in gear or they will go to the wall.
Your intention on spouting that change is needed and is coming, like it or not is making your posts sound like an FAI party political broadcast.

You say that clubs can get their asses in gear or go to the wall?

Hey, guess what - clubs like UCD and Bray Wanderers have gotten their asses in gear (witness us being in the Premier and the likes of Rovers and Galway not being) and are still likely to go to the wall because the FAI is going to arbitrarily relegate us because we're in the wrong area. This from an association whose motto is "We care about Irish football"? They care that much that they are going to send half the clubs in the league to the wall?!

It's time the proponents and supporters of this plan "got real" and took a look at where it'd lead the league. There's been enough of intelligent posts here forecasting doom for most involved, and yet we're the ones told to "get real" because of a vague assertion that "change" is needed, based on a fraudulent document?!

Dodge

26/01/2006, 2:52 PM

And its nothing to do with the el chairman being from Galway either.

Why should you get a place ahead of Bray or Sligo?

BohDiddley

26/01/2006, 2:58 PM

Its time everyone got real a major change is coming down the tracks and either Clubs get their asses in gear or they will go to the wall.
Who's not getting real?
Why do we need a major change? Because the hare-brainded Genesis Report says so? We have already seen that discredited.
Radical change may sound sexier at John Delaney's press conferences, but that doesn't mean that revolution actually is better than evolution.
The EL has recently made radical changes, as already outlined. More gradually, professional football is taking root. Crowds are modestly up over recent years. We are finally getting some TV. Disillusionment with Skyjacked corporate English premiership football is growing. Clubs are in financial crisis, but there is a growing acceptance that football needs an injection of public capital.
Flipchart heroes at the FAI are looking at an up-curve on the graph and are planning to wipe it out.

Poor Student

26/01/2006, 3:05 PM

If these changes do come to the fore would a boycott of games be advisable or would we just damage our clubs?

Roverstillidie

26/01/2006, 3:07 PM

Lads, the reality is that the FAI are perfictly entitled to insist on all clubs having fully implemented licences to join the new super league they will launch. That isnt really a problem, only fans of clubs who know they will fail on tax, debt or stadia issues are going to kick up a stink. Get it sorted, you have a year.

The problems begin when you get into the sub-plots. The FAI are going to use (or so they are leaking) some subjective terms like 'potential support' to relegate/promote teams. this is not franchising. thats not on. once a team is accpeted into the league, on the pitch is the only valid benchmark.

the fai are also using the opportunity to push through grounsharing in dublin.

in short, nice idea being implemented totally wrong. typical fai

Dodge

26/01/2006, 3:10 PM

If these changes do come to the fore would a boycott of games be advisable or would we just damage our clubs?
Rather damage them than have them killed

Poor Student

26/01/2006, 3:13 PM

Rather damage them than have them killed

I'm just thinking at the end of the day it's up to us, the fans, to lobby against such moves and show our displeasure and give it negative publicity. Does anyone have some constructive ideas on protesting? I suppose the NLSA should get on it.

Dodge

26/01/2006, 3:15 PM

That isnt really a problem, only fans of clubs who know they will fail on tax, debt or stadia issues are going to kick up a stink. Get it sorted, you have a year.
Pats easily qualify under uefa licensing but I'm gonna kick up stink. As all true fans should, this is ridiculous

A face

26/01/2006, 3:26 PM

One thing is for sure on this ..... people better get organised and decide exactly what they want .... and ask for it, before its too late.

gufct

26/01/2006, 3:30 PM

he is from Athlone not Galway.The Treasurer is from Galway but has no links with the club now and would not be very popular with a large section of our support.

Bald Student Galway are working to get everything right on and off the pitch which every other Team should be doing.Derry and Galway have done as much as humanely possible in the last 3 years to meet all the Licencing criteria and then had the FAI Fudge the licensing issue rather than enforce it strictly as they said they would.

pineapple stu

26/01/2006, 3:33 PM

Rather damage them than have them killed
I agree. Preferably everyone head to the game anyway but stage a protest outside the ground. No money goes to clubs, fans stage a public, media friendly series of protests.

I suppose the NLSA should get on it.
The NLSA are on it. Apologies for the lack of info... But - to parody your superhero-like call for help - the greatest superheroes work under this cloak of secrecy!:) We'll fill people in after the AGM, I would hope. In the meantime, though, rest assured there is constructive action being taken.

Bald Student

26/01/2006, 3:38 PM

Bald Student Galway are working to get everything right on and off the pitch which every other Team should be doing.Derry and Galway have done as much as humanely possible in the last 3 years to meet all the Licencing criteria and then had the FAI Fudge the licensing issue rather than enforce it strictly as they said they would.We agree on that much anyway. I've no problem with the licensing being enforced properly or with having the bar raised (at the moment the infrastructure bar is very low).

I do have a problem with a club being promoted or relegated on the basis of 'potenital support' or 'marketability', they're but psudonems for geography.

Speranza

26/01/2006, 3:47 PM

With this being such a confusing proposal it has taken me two days to realise that the motion is an admission by the el/FAI that the licencing was a total shambles which was fudged to keep the league afloat.

WHy not ressurect the licencing but implement it seriously this time. IMO the new proposal offers more scope for the FAI to act on ideas they have had for a long long time i.e Ground Sharing in Dublin than the UEFA licencing ever did. That's why they will move heaven and earth to pass it on Saturday.

pineapple stu

26/01/2006, 4:21 PM

IMO the new proposal offers more scope for the FAI to act on ideas they have had for a long long time i.e Ground Sharing in Dublin than the UEFA licencing ever did.
Do the FAI stand to gain if anyone sells their ground, I wonder?

Passive

26/01/2006, 4:43 PM

I can understand people being concerned about these proposals but some comments here are ridiculous. Pineapple Stu, you claim to be happy that the EL is "the 27th best league in Europe". Are you joking me? That's a farcical statistic and shows exactly why we are in need of radical change.

BohDiddley made a similar comment about Genesis being wrong when they said the EL is dead. Dead might be going a bit far but it certainly is dying. Crowds are appalling bad and show no signs of increasing, stadiums are health hazards and clubs are being run as efficiently as Afghanistan under the Taliban. Anyone who thinks this league is in a remotely healthy state needs their heads examined. I've been going week-in, week-out for fifteen years and I would defend domestic football until I'm blue in the face, but even I can see what a joke it is.

The fact is that domestic football is a joke because we made it a joke. Clubs get Eur1 at the turnstiles and promise the next average footballer they can find Eur2 in wages. Then they either fail to pay him his Eur2 or else don't pay tax on it and give him under the counter top-ups whenever they can. Meanwhile, their crowds are falling and their stadiums - when the exist - are crumbling.

I don't know the detail of what the FAI are proposing - nor, incidentally, does anyone else, most of this thread is textbook internet waffle - but I agree with them when they say that things have to change. That's not to say I will support what they propose, in fact I'm pretty sure they will ruin it all by making one sensible suggestion and three absolutely crazy ones, but I'm very open to listening. I can't stand the FAI and I don't trust a single breathing soul inside Merrion Square but claiming that the EL is doing grand because it is the 27th best league in Europe is just insane.

Magicme

26/01/2006, 4:47 PM

Passive not everyone here is as in the dark as you think.

Bald Student

26/01/2006, 5:54 PM

The fact is that domestic football is a joke because we made it a joke. Clubs get Eur1 at the turnstiles and promise the next average footballer they can find Eur2 in wages. Then they either fail to pay him his Eur2 or else don't pay tax on it and give him under the counter top-ups whenever they can. Meanwhile, their crowds are falling and their stadiums - when the exist - are crumbling.Agreed,
You, me and pretty much everyone else involved with eL football can identify the problems in the league pretty easily. These problems should be fixed. The licensing was brought in to fix them but was fudged.

Aboloshing relegation for a season or shuffeling the league positions won't make any difference to the problems in the league.