Overhaul needed to stop talent drain, Champagne says

Soccer has reached the point where it must choose between becoming an elitist sport, dominated by a handful of rich clubs and leagues, or a universal one, according to former FIFA presidential adviser Jerome Champagne.

The Frenchman, who worked in various senior positions including adviser to president Sepp Blatter during 11 years at FIFA, said the sport needed a radical overhaul to help it stop the drain of talent to a few rich European clubs and to help it flourish worldwide.

The former diplomat said that even once-powerful clubs, such as Portugal's Sporting, have become suppliers of players for the major European leagues, while fans in many countries follow England's Premier League more closely than their own championship.