SportBusiness.com

SWEDES GIVE CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO EURO PLAN

Leading Swedish clubs AIK Stockholm, IFK Gothenburg and Helsingborg might be interested in playing in a new European league if governing body UEFA backs the idea.

Scottish rivals Rangers and Celtic are leading a movement to set up a new 16-team league which would also include teams from the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Scandinavia.
"Our condition would be that (European soccer governing body) UEFA gives the go-ahead," AIK chairman Sune Hellstromer told Sweden?s daily Svenska Dagbladet.
Lars-Ake Lagrell, chairman of the Swedish soccer federation, also expressed cautious interest but said it would be up to the clubs to decide.
Smaller countries needed to act because at present five big football nations - Italy, England, Spain, Germany and France - monopolise the best players and television cash, according to Lagrell.
"What's decisive is the TV money and it would be good if a sixth league were created and got some of those millions," Lagrell said.
"Our clubs will discuss this and if they are positive, then we'll take it further. There's a lot that's unclear about the project at present but it looks interesting," he added.
Svenska Dagbladet said IFK Gothenburg and Helsingborg had also expressed interest while Swedish league leaders Halmstad was less enthusiastic.
Reuters