I'm sure we've talked about a lot of them before but what changes do you think could be brought in to help improve football? Would having only two fully professional leagues in England help? I don't think there are more than two in any other country. Over 90 pro teams is quite a lot for the country to support financially.

In my opinion something great about many US sport leagues is the parity through the draft and salary cap. Now it would probably be near impossible to bring in a draft to English football as players don't go through a fantastic college sports system, but a salary cap could work. Also better revenue sharing is needed; teams need to look after each other.

On a European front, the Champions league should be put back to its old format of only CHAMPIONS making it. This would make the UEFA cup great again and spread the wealth.


Anyone have any other thoughts on changes that could help the game? Local, national or international? What ideas could be stolen from other sports? All-Star game?

I'd say it's relatively OK as it is but I'd recommend a couple of things:

1. Makes the goals bigger - the average height of man has increased over 6'' since the current rules were drawn up meaning that, effectively, there's a foot less space to shoot at. Whatever anyone says, football is about scoring goals.

2. Do something with the off side rule. The most frustrating thing about watching football is the number of off sides that prevent the game from flowing. I know it's up to the attacking player to stay on-side but most of the time they aren't in a more advantageous position anyway.

There's more but I can't be arsed to type it.

They got rid of the offside rule in field hockey to make things more attacking. Of course in hockey you are only allowed to score in the D so it's a different situation. The offside rule does need to be worked out though, not sure if video replays could be used at the referee's choice. Or if they were to bring video replays in for big disputed moments.

The goals thing is interesting, never really thought about it. I think they tried to bring it in for MLS when it was first starting up but the idea was rejected.

I think video replays should be used for goal line and penalty disputes. I doubt the offside rule will ever be to everyone's liking so that should be left as it is with the benefit of doubt going to the attacker. Stopping play to review a close offside decision would be a shambles.

I agree with making the goals wider but not necessarily higher.

The offside rule could be made easier if there were 4 linesmen. One for each quarter of the pitch. For someone to be offside both linesmen would have to raise their flag. If only one raises their flag it isnt offside.
This would also have the benefit of allowing the referee to stay closer to the game rather than having to run diagonals.
But then you would probably have the problem of linesmaen becoming sympathetic to each other and raising their flag just coz the other one did!!

Still, I dont really want to see video replays as, no matter what anyone says, they do disrupt play. Look at rugby and cricket - refs and umpires are becoming afraid to make the most basic of decisions because they're worried about being proved wrong.

I do believe though that there should be a forth official in the stands watching the game that can pass information and advice to both referee and linesmen although they will need to be isolated from fans and club officials.