Brazilians outnumber French, Italians, Spaniards in Champions League

[GavinZac]

"In fact, we have 85 Brazilian players registered to play in the UEFA Champions League this year. That is the highest number of any nationality, above France with 65 players, and Italy and Spain with 56. The high number of Brazilians in Europe shows not only the great talent of Brazilian players, admired the world over for their brilliant skill and flair, but also the appeal of the UEFA Champions League – the best of the best competing on the ultimate stage." Le Floc'h also transmitted best wishes for a speedy recovery to AC Milan striker Ronaldo, who suffered a serious knee injury in a Serie A game against AS Livorno Calcio on Wednesday.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl...feed&att=index

What do you think of this? Not so long ago, the champions league only allowed 3 foreigners per club to be registered. While that couldn't last, is it becoming less and less like a European Cup? Should/Could some compromise be made with the EU, given the EU's recognising football as our "continental" game? With the disbanding of the G14, is that even a possibility?

From an eircom league fan's point of view, what of the similarities of our own club's situations, on a larger scale? Does anyone know what its like to be a Vasco fan? Do people around them go about in Man Utd shirts talking about their premiership fantasy league team?

[HarpoJoyce]

GavinZac

English players or the Premiership were not even mentioned in the article. It's very natural for fans to identify with clubs or individuals which they feel suits their nature best. No matter what level of support their 'number one' teams play at,many fans will be interested in the teams that are succeeding above that, even if its only a little bit above them.

The article is about UEFA expanding their influence by taking the UEFA Champions League for a tour of South America. So Vasca Da Gama fans among others will be able to brush up on their European football slang and dust down their own euro club shirts.

You are lucky you don't have to chose Brazil as your number one club country. There are approximately seven well supported teams, which the league feels it needs to protect by counting performance in previous seasons into the current league season so that if/when a well-supported club finds itself in the relegation zone in one year, it can rely on the cushion of results in previous years to remain in the top flight. Gremio benefitted from this ruling in the past.

Brazil also includes what I call second generation and I believe third generation competetions. These involve the winners of a competetion over a period of time, coming together to compete for a trophy (2ndG). I understand in at least one case this has generated an extra tournament (3G)

And also as the article intimates, Brazil are haemorraging players to Europe.

EDit: to answer some specific questions better. Because some of the best players in Europe are Brazilian, Euro Clubs do not wish to lose out to their rivals on the next best thing. So they will invest on a lot players who show potential. The similiarality with Ireland is that if player(s) are seen to be sucessful coming directly from a particular league, that club and its rivals will return to that League looking for the next best thing. If the eircom League transfer players directly into the British sport and they are seen to be successful, British clubs will return. eircom league clubs then need to be aware of their players true value. I believe you know this already.

[Schumi]

Not so long ago, the champions league only allowed 3 foreigners per club to be registered. While that couldn't last, is it becoming less and less like a European Cup? Should/Could some compromise be made with the EU, given the EU's recognising football as our "continental" game? With the disbanding of the G14, is that even a possibility?

Just on this, UEFA don't have any interest in antagonising the big clubs so nothing will happen but the EU only care about EU nationals being able to work wherever they want. Restrictions on non-EU players wouldn't bother the EU at all, work permits are required for them anyway afaik.