Murdoch planning global league
Murdoch’s Sky Sports organisation have been the driving force behind the success of the English Premier League which has globalised the sport with billions pouring into the English game.
UEFA has had to constantly update the qualification criteria for the Champions League to keep the biggest clubs happy with that success being noticed around the globe.
In March of this year there were reports of a world series type competition being based in Qatar who will host the 2018 World Cup with Murdoch looking for a slice of the action for his global News Corporation.
According to a report in The Guardian Murdoch is looking to host a 16 team series of matches during the summer with cities from Los Angeles to Shanghai bidding to host fixtures.
Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are essentials for any global league to have credibility with all three clubs already committing themselves to extensive worldwide pre-season tours.
This summer the Guinness International Cup involving Real Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus, AC Milan and LA Galaxy will get underway with Celtic unable to take up an invite due to being involved in the early rounds of the Champions League.
With the largest active fan base in North America and the worldwide Irish support to tap into Celtic would be a natural choice among the second tier clubs involved in a worldwide league.
Plans by Murdoch and the Qatar Royal Family are both at advanced stages and present a genuine threat to FIFA and UEFA who keep an iron grip on their tournaments with lucrative long term sponsorship deals in place.
Moves to switch the 2018 World Cup to January are certain to be resisted by clubs- paving the way for leading clubs to break free and set up their own leagues- just as English sides did in 1992 with the formation of The Premiership breaking away from The Football League.