The plan by 12 football clubs to form a so-called European super league is driven by financial greed and will have repercussions far beyond the continent’s elite domestic tournaments.
What has been proposed by six English, three Spanish and three Italian clubs will change the game as we know it.
The move will drive a wedge between the continent’s biggest teams and the associations responsible for the game from grassroots level up.
The existing competitions in their own countries will inevitably be diminished.
Already we can see the repercussions will be felt well beyond the boardrooms of Old Trafford and Anfield.
As we report today, Scotland could be denied arguably our three best players for this summer’s European Championships.
Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Scott McTominay play for clubs who are now facing an onslaught of criticism and threats of punitive action.
European football’s governing body UEFA know the consequences of a rival awash with money.
They will do everything they can to kill the plans at the earliest stage possible. And so they should.
As this elitist set-up evolves it will look for new markets and participants.
Here in Scotland we have two huge clubs in Celtic and Rangers and it is far from inconceivable that their heads could be turned by the riches available in a new competition.
That could have catastrophic consequences for our domestic game.
Let’s hope this hideous idea, clearly borne out of the greed of the people driving it, is shown the red card.
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