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Scottish FA CEO Calls For Cross-Border League, Says 'We Have To Change'

Scottish FA CEO Stewart Regan said that Scottish clubs "need to play in a cross-border league" to avoid "being left behind," according to Ewan Murray of the London GUARDIAN. A Champions League place for the winners "is among the ideas being considered." Regan believes such a concept "would have football and financial benefits to clubs in countries such as Scotland" and he is part of a UEFA working group investigating "how cross-border competition can form part of the strategy at European football’s governing body." His vision is that Scottish clubs that drop out of Europe before Christmas "could enter a cross-border league involving teams in an identical situation in other countries." One "potential and serious option would see groups of six countries," such as those in northern Europe or the Balkans, combine to play in tandem with respective domestic leagues. Regan: "There is a recognition that we have to change. There is a saying: 'If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.'" Regan believes the issue "needs to be addressed swiftly." He said, "I think the way European competition is going, the less UEFA responds before the next television deal -- post-2021 -- they will miss the chance to test the validity of cross border competition. Then, the big will just keep getting bigger" (GUARDIAN, 10/27). ESPN.com reported earlier this month, FC Copenhagen CEO Anders Horsholt confirmed that talks over an int'l league involving the biggest clubs in Scandinavia, Scotland, the Netherlands and Belgium were taking place. The idea of an "Atlantic League" -- which would involve clubs such as Ajax, Celtic and Rangers -- was first suggested in the late '90s and "has been revisited periodically." Regan said that a cross-border competition would "keep the dream alive" in Europe and added, "You need to play at the highest level you possibly can. That's why cross-border gives us a chance to play against better teams for longer" (ESPN.com, 10/27).

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