Deputy Svischev: the idea of the RPL switching to the American format carries many difficulties
The transition to a closed league system for Russian football carries many difficulties, says Dmitry Svishchev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports. In a conversation with Lenta.ru, he responded to the idea of creating an American version in the Russian Premier League.
So far, these are just discussions, no decisions have been made. Reforms in Russian football have been talked about for a long time, I remember in 2021 they tried to change the RPL format. Now, with the adoption of the bill on professional sports leagues, new conversations will begin
“This idea has many complications. Besides, UEFA is against closed leagues. No team will be relegated, and clubs from lower leagues will not be able to get into the top division. The matches will be held in the same cities, and mainly in Moscow. It will turn out that fans from other cities, whose clubs will not be in the RPL, will be deprived of good football. And we still have the task of popularizing sports throughout the country,” the deputy shared his opinion.
According to RBC sources, some leading Russian clubs, together with the Russian Football Union (RFU), are considering switching to the American vector of development.
According to the idea, the management of Russian football plans to create a closed league of 16 teams, which are guaranteed participation in the RPL every year. According to the idea, the participants of the closed league will be able to concentrate on a long-term strategy, without focusing on the sporting principle. They will invest more in marketing, commerce, infrastructure, development of academies and young players. It is unlikely that they will switch to such a system next year, but it is possible in a few years, the publication writes.
Source: Lenta
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