The English FA is flirting with the idea of introducing a playoff system to determine which team will occupy the fourth qualification spot for the UEFA Champions League. The playoff will be between the clubs that finish 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th in the Premier League table. Presently the team that finishes 4th in the league automatically gains the 4th qualification spot for the Champions League.As expected, the “Big Four” teams, which have consistently finished in the top four, are not enthusiastic supporters of this proposal. However, the idea seems to be welcomed by the other remaining clubs in the top flight. Obviously, the two sides are acting out of self-interest, but biases aside, is this idea a fair and practical means of dealing with the competitive imbalance apparent in the league, or are there more effective ways for the FA to address the predictability of the league table?
Just like the FA to not deal with the real issue facing the Premier League. It is clear that in order to have a more competitive framework, some form of revenue sharing is needed. Look at all of the major American sports, they all do it, with American Football being the one that has implemented a more robust model with the greatest success. Kind of ironic that “socialist” Europe and “capitalist” America have gone in opposite directions on this issue.