having spoken to a few people about this who i trust know what there on about.

I was led to believe that the criteria released was for a club from the championship to be guanteed to be promoted and announced in march.

then all the clubs who want to apply can do so along side the SL clubs and the best 13 bids granted licences which will be annouced around july 2011.

this might be wrong but thats how i understood it.

I'm sure that still saves the clubs a fair whack.

Saves them a fair whack from an unncessary expenditure, though. Don't see any reason why our league [ineeds[/i a non-UK side in it, though that said I've already got my Euros stashed away for next year

I guess someoene received an irate phone call or three

Don't look on it as a 'perk' though its the only way the French team could play in our league as most (if not all) couldn't afford the trip.