Those who think the stakes in the proposed European Super League are worth millions do not know the half of it. It is possible that founders could share a £2 billion windfall from expansion of the elite league should the scheme take off. That, however, must seem a long way off right now.

For a start, there are a series of political hurdles to overcome that will shape how the league begins and evolves. The first problem is that the teams signing up will have to avoid being expelled from their national leagues, something English clubs are already being threatened with.

This appears a potent threat because a European Super League place without domestic competition on top would not be financially attractive, as the loss of gate revenue, television money and domestic interest would make a switch pointless.

In the long run, it is an empty threat. Why? Because if such threats become serious, television companies, which currently pump millions into domestic leagues, will step in.

The second problem is the resentment of teams not invited. The European Super League would have to use cash and tantalising but vague promises to stop other clubs rocking the boat.

The really serious wailing, however, will come from the clubs on the fringes of the new league, who currently compete for European places and have the support to consider themselves major clubs. Plenty will be left out all over Europe. They will have to be bought off by promises of future expansion.

Before that issue is sorted out one conundrum would remain to be resolved. The major teams all want to be in the same division with each other to guarantee an exciting season. But that would mean creating one very strong division - the 10-club European Division - inevitably leaving some big names languishing in mid-table, while a weaker International Division would make for easier progress to later stages. So the European Division would have to be given the chance of winning extra wild-card entries to the final stages.