The Pros and Cons of the Europa League

The Pros and Cons of the Europa League


Photo by Vyacheslav Yevdokimov, CC BY
Brendan Rodgers is under Increasing Pressure

At the time of writing, it is still undecided whether Celtic will be competing in European competition this season. After limping out of the continent’s foremost competition against AEK Athens—a defeat that subjected Rodgers and his team to criticism from all quarters—they have a chance to secure their place in the Europa League. After a one-all draw in Lithuania, the Bhoys will be hoping for a more convincing display than one that would see them relying on their solitary away goal. Whatever happens at Celtic Park on Thursday, the debate rages on about whether inclusion in the Europa League is actually a good or a bad thing. Here we will look at both sides of the argument.

The Case Against…

No matter what UEFA’s marketing department does, the Europa League will always be in the shadow of its grander, more illustrious big brother in a way that its predecessor (the plain old UEFA Cup) never was. The quality of the teams entering it is one problem, with the 5th(sometimes 6th)-placed club from their leagues qualifying, as well as those, like Celtic, who fail to make the grade in the Champions League qualification. The clubs may be far less grand, but they are no less scattered and distant when it comes to geography. A European competition involves a lot of travelling, both in terms of time and distance.

All of that could, and perhaps would be forgotten, however, were it not for the main complaint that clubs, their fans, managers, players, and even boards, have against the competition—the Thursday night fixtures. This has two knock-on effects. First of all, it means that Saturday games—the meat and drink of a football club’s season and the pivot around which a football fan’s weekend revolves—are practically things of the past. Playing every Sunday is just not the same.

The second negative impact this has is that, even with the extra day’s rest, it is still a gruelling ask to require players to return from what could be a flight of several thousand miles on Friday morning and play a league game on the Sunday. You need only cast your eyes south of the border to see how Burnley appear to have let their European exertions turn them from a solid top-six team into one looking over their shoulders at the dreaded drop zone.

Celtic have a chance to create history with a treble. That will be hard enough in and of itself—and a drain on the squad. If we are to see a repeat of that magnificent day last April, everyone at the club needs to be 100% focussed on achieving success domestically. The distraction of another competition (that we are unlikely to win) is just that—a distraction—and an unwanted one.

…And For


Photo by Oleschyk, CC BY SA 4.0
A Showpiece Final

Agreed, the Europa League may not have the prestige of the Champions League, but it is still the second biggest competition in Europe. The last seven years, the clubs who have lifted the trophy have been Atlético Madrid (twice), Sevilla (three times), Chelsea and Manchester United—hardly footballing minnows. It is a chance for our club to compete against some of the best teams in Europe; the lack of just such competition has been held up as a reason why we fail to cut it in the Champions League. By playing these teams, our players will learn and develop. The competition is also a draw—one that will help get players (internationally-renowned players) into Celtic Park.

Another reason why the competition is good for the club is quite simply because a club of the size and stature of Celtic should be in European competition. We have no divine right to be in it, of course. But, whatever the competition’s name, European nights at Celtic Park are mutually beneficial for both the club and the competition.

There are financial implications as well. The TV money is not in the same league as that for the Champions League, but as you progress, there is decent money to be made from the Europa League. Almost £400 million is split between the clubs competing, depending on how far they progress and the value of their domestic TV market.

By the time you are reading this, our fate will have been sealed. Whatever happens on Thursday, there is a case to be made for both outcomes. Celtic are bigger than the events of one match, particularly against a side that no Hoops fan had heard of three weeks ago. But there is no doubt that it will have an impact, both positive and negative, on the rest of the season and beyond.