The Netherlands and Belgium are planning a revolution in European football. The Dutch Eredivisie and the Belgian Jupiler Pro League are in talks to merge their leagues to create a new 18 team league, according to Kicker.
"We cannot ignore the new reality," Club Brugge CEO Bart Verhaeghe said to Kicker. "Sooner or later, there will be a European Super League with games between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on Sundays."
The consulting company Deloitte has calculated that a so-called BeNe League could generate in the region of €400 million a year in television revenue. In comparison, both the Dutch and Belgium top leagues earn about €80 million a season in television revenue at the moment.
A merger would create the sixth-largest league by television revenue, behind England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. The Deloitte study was commissioned by Gent, Club Brugge, KRC Genk, RSC Anderlecht, and Standard Liège from Belgium and Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Utrecht, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Vitesse.
The eleven top clubs want a league with 18 teams, ten from the Netherlands and eight from Belgium. Those numbers would remain stable with the two lowest-ranked teams from each country to be relegated at the end of the season, replaced by the respective national champions.
Some questions remain, however. Fans would be required to travel greater distances—although distances within Belgium and the Netherlands would still be small in comparison to other European countries. "We are not enthusiastic," Matthijs Keuning from the Dutch Supporters said. "A lot of questions, very few answers," Eddy Janssis from Belgian Supporters added.
Another question is what will happen to UEFA spots. Would the league be categorized as a single national championship, or would the two countries continue to send their respective national representatives?
Finally, Twente Enschede, the fourth most popular club by fan volume in the Netherlands, were not part of any talks, and not surprising upset with the talks. The same can be said about club officials from Sparta Rotterdam, Heracles Almelo, and Heerenveen, who were also opposed to a potential merger.
And UEFA? The European football governing body has not yet been presented with plans for a potential merger and will not comment at the time.
ApurboModabbir
0
what a nonsense
why ??
TetuScouser
0
This would be quite good
Profnick
0
I think this will do the world of football good to merge small leagues. even in Scandinavia they should try that too
BElgium12
0
Ajax , Psv , Feyernoord , AV whos the best team in belgium?
Club Brugge, remember draw 2-2 at the bernabeu
BElgium12
0
what a nonsense
It's not
BElgium12
0
This is crazy, this most likely means that there will be lesser teams from Belgium in the ucl and uel as no offence but Dutch football is better as they have a whole different type of play compared to Belgium. But on the bright side both leagues bring up exceptional players from their academies and to see youngsters against youngsters while both of them are progressing
Belgian League is just underrated. Except Ajax are another level, the rest is almost the same
BElgium12
0
Won't work.
It will.
Vezonic22
2
Now that will be a tough one yet let me see if Ajax will keep dominating while clubs like Club Brugge, Anderlecht and Genk just dance around.
Socadeikuz
5
What about the French? Might as well add then too.
AKIN21
1
Ajax vd Club bruge
Lababidi
0
This is crazy, this most likely means that there will be lesser teams from Belgium in the ucl and uel as no offence but Dutch football is better as they have a whole different type of play compared to Belgium. But on the bright side both leagues bring up exceptional players from their academies and to see youngsters against youngsters while both of them are progressing
maybe in the first few seasons but then Belgium tea.s will adapt and use their new revenues to compete better. currently both leagues winner particpate in cl qualification stages. maybe then the top 2 will participate directly while 3rd and 4th into qualification stage. who knows it all depend on how they organize it
Tepekmprty
0
I love Ajax....
Lababidi
2
this is a creative idea. will help the big clubs gain financially and for sure more media attention. still they need to consider the smaller clubs and let them have a good share of the money. maybe 20 teams instead of 18. maybe 4 teams relegate not 2. maybe keep 2 cup competitions and give them both europa league positions... those 2eagues are small but with promising potentials hope they study it well and get a good resolutio, who know maybe other leagues do the same in the future in order to stay on the map and in cl too
Venbkmnps
1
why don't they merge the whole european leagues and create a single league with 500 teams so each team can play 998 games in a 5yrs season...
real_ultras
0
Won't work.
ruffeagle
1
it should be tried between Nigeria and Ghana
Edoo87
1
I think it's good step to reinforce the teams from both leagues
ignatius_jr
0
this is a great idea for the future of football, great job
Mason26
4
This is crazy, this most likely means that there will be lesser teams from Belgium in the ucl and uel as no offence but Dutch football is better as they have a whole different type of play compared to Belgium. But on the bright side both leagues bring up exceptional players from their academies and to see youngsters against youngsters while both of them are progressing
ApurboModabbir
1
what a nonsense
Lucbimopy
0
I don't think it is right because Netherlands have their own football traditions and Belgium have their own
Ameerul24
0
Ajax , Psv , Feyernoord , AV whos the best team in belgium?
CChrysanthou
0
That is goated
GabrielAnindhita
1
I am not supporting this, small clubs from both Netherland and Belgium won't have more chances to win the league
Djdopeklass
1
Bomb 💣