What An Incredible Fluke XXI!

Two seasons ago, the English Premier League declared war on UEFA both over financial fair play and the programming of EPL matches to coincide with ones from the Champions League.

The bookmakers, as ever, were most grateful for such impact as the success of the English teams over the previous four seasons had been immensely poor for the bottom line.

So check the data.

From seasons 2006/07 to 2009/10, the number of semi finalists in the Champions League/Europa Cup from England was 11.
Fully 34% of all semi slots were filled by English teams.
Spain came second with 22%.

For the last two seasons, England has provided just 12.5% of semi finalists slipping behind Spain (44%), Portugal (25%) and Germany (19%).

At the very least, this makes it difficult to maintain the 'best league in the world' marketing fallacy.

The data above are revealing...
... but what is it that they reveal?

Either a marked decline in the competitive standard of English football within Europe...
... or that UEFA directly targets miscreant organisations.

Or a bitterly brewed blend of both.

But yet another hyperreality that aids the EPL and the bookmakers to the detriment of the supporter and fan.

What a weird fluke!