The Atlantic League idea was born 20 years ago in a bid to help smaller nations bridge the financial gap to European football’s superpowers.
And some of the countries involved in that radical proposal could be forced to renew their old alliance to put pressure on UEFA as they pander to the so-called Big Five leagues.
Belgium set a precedent when they crowned Brugge Pro League champions last week but incurred the wrath of European football’s governing body for breaking rank.And a warning letter was sent from Nyon, signed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, that any country considering the same action was putting their places in next season’s Euro club competitions at huge risk.