A "dramatic change of tack" by UEFA means that the Football League "will face competition" for the inclusion of Scottish Premiership sides Celtic and Rangers should it "choose to invite the Old Firm into the new five-division English structure" proposed for the '19-20 season, according to Roddy Forsyth of the London TELEGRAPH. The possibility of an Atlantic League "is back on the agenda, involving clubs from Scotland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Holland." It was first mooted in the '90s, but enthusiasm "waned repeatedly" in the face of UEFA's policy of "maintaining the primacy" of national associations. There have been talks "among smaller European countries about the formation of regional groupings." A Balkan League -- comprising the former Yugoslavian countries, possibly with Albania and Greece -- is reportedly "the most advanced." Informal discussions about a North Atlantic League have also been held, with a proposed start in '21 to "coincide with the end of the current Champions League broadcasting cycle." A North Atlantic set-up, including the likes of Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV, Anderlecht, Club Brugge, FC Copenhagen and Malmo, is "more likely to confine Scottish participation to the Old Firm plus one -- probably Aberdeen -- but any invitation to the Scots from the Football League could be broader in scope." Celtic is understood to favor "a pyramid system" open to other Scottish Professional Football League clubs, solidarity payments, their continued participation in the Scottish Cup and the possibility of maintaining colt or "B" teams in the Scottish leagues. The "downside, for Celtic in particular, would be a minimum of five years without European football," assuming that they would be able to "sustain continuous momentum" toward the "ultimate goal" of a place in the Premier League (TELEGRAPH, 8/28). The SCOTSMAN reported the Football League wants to reorganize into four divisions of 20 teams below the Premier League in time for the '19-20 season. That would involve "the introduction of eight new clubs to the league system." Harvey previously admitted "it would be difficult for Celtic and Rangers to gain entry," but did not rule out the possibility. Two teams would be promoted from the National League and six other sides "would be added to the newly-formed League Three." Six additional clubs "are likely to also come from the National League," although should Rangers and Celtic be added to the mix, "the two Glasgow giants could enter at this point in a bid to work their way up through the divisions" (SCOTSMAN, 8/30).
