Spring in Fialta
A malign star kept him
I have no issue agreeing that it's more than a bit problematic. I also note that there are a lot of lower level clubs that do need the influx of money, talent, and support that could come from a relationship.
It's sad, but there's only so many dollars to go around, especially as they're increasingly gobbled up further up the pyramids. I'm all for the local clubs keeping identities, but I do see the tangible benefit for Liverpool. It's not perfect, but as a fan of baseball and the farm system process, I don't have as many issues with developing players for the top team either.
The difference here is that North American minor league systems are specifically created for that.
Strasbourg in Ligue 1 and Girona in Liga are not minor league systems. They're pro teams at the highest level of their pyramids who don't belong to where they come from anymore in the service of another club in another country. It's anti-competitive and antithetical to the spirit of sports and community to the core.
There's no good way to do this. And I never want to hear any fan of such parent clubs crying about reffing calls when their clubs are pressing their fingers on the balance as heavily across the continent.