Former PSV Eindhoven Chair Harry van Raaij, the Dutchman who tried to launch the Atlantic League 16 years ago, has "revealed secret talks are at an advanced stage to bring the proposal back to life," according to Keith Jackson of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Van Raaij, "the mastermind behind the aborted plan to set up a cross border league" including Scottish Premiership side Celtic and Scottish Championship side Rangers -- has confirmed a consortium of businessmen based in England "have approached him as they bid to resurrect the idea which was booted into touch" by UEFA in the summer of '00. Sources in Holland claim these "closed door discussions have been on going for months and that they are being financially backed by potential sponsors and even a broadcast partner." The project is "believed to have been resurrected" as a direct response to Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s plot to create a Champions League cartel "involving only the richest clubs from across the continent." Van Raaij said, "I have been sworn to secrecy so at this stage I cannot reveal anything else. But it's a well constructed plan. Because you have asked me the question I will not lie about that but I cannot go into detail at this stage." It is understood the new proposal "would see clubs such as Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven quit their domestic league" to compete against European rivals from a range of countries including Scotland, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Clubs from Germany, France and Italy "could also be involved if they are frozen out of Rummenigge's cartel" (DAILY RECORD, 2/16).
