The European Super League has made an expected return to the news since the dramatic unfolding of April 2021, where the breakout league was first announced.
22 months ago, a shocking breakout league was announced by A22, a group of members of senior figures at football’s leading’s clubs. The league aimed to replace the Champions League, a competition which felt ineffective, and money inefficient.
Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, was extremely adamant of the league returning after the collapse in 2021. After mass protesting, the ‘big six’ Premier League clubs confirmed they would not join the league, and after a £3.5m fine, signed a pledge to never join the league again.
It would be bizarre to see the Premier League clubs join again, given the potential consequences which were threatened by the league, including expulsion. Despite this, it does feel as if the power lies with the top Premier League clubs, who bring the majority of attention to the league.
Today, the remaining three founding clubs (Juventus, Real Madrid, and Barcelona) announced a new proposed Super League format. A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart says the new ESL would contain:
· 60 to 80 teams.
· Minimum of fourteen matches per season, per team.
· Teams will continue to play in their domestic leagues.
· Multi-divisional format.
· Open format.
The first proposed format of the league had a multitude of issues. The issue that frustrated fans particularly was the greed of the twelve clubs, who would practically elevate themselves to financial giants in football. The footballing conglomerate they were aiming to achieve was harshly shut down by UEFA, FIFA, and even royalty & prime ministers in the respective countries.
It feels as if people are too quick to shut this down however. Resistance will always be met with new ideas, and that is not footballing specific. The new UEFA Champions League format, proposed in 2024, is not perfect either.
The heads of those respecting organisations do not want a power shift to football clubs in the sport, and therefore will do everything to prevent this. Alexander Ceferin famously hit out at Manchester United and Juventus directors Ed Woodward and Andrea Agnelli, branding them "snakes" after leading proposals for a breakaway Super League. It feels as if the Super League will not happen, no matter how far it is pushed.
Personally, the rules proposed makes it a not-so bad idea. I have two main persisting issues based on this format; There is far too many games. The current schedule is just enough, but more games just creates more injuries, longer seasons.
The other issue I have has no possible solution. The whole business and idea being created by chairman's/executives seems based on greed. Of course, the Super League will produce more money and reap financial benefits across the football pyramid, if divided equally. This just appears like a money grab for the chairman's who believe their clubs are not financially stable.
One thing is for certain, and that is that Premier League clubs have absolutely no business in joining this. The Premier League ‘big six’ are financial monsters. The Premier League spending in January was absurd in comparison to other leagues, let alone other clubs. In terms of financial power, they’d simply be dragging other clubs to their level instead of maintaining power.
It will seem to be another failed proposal of the Super League, but we should evaluate the proposals and seek improvement in UEFA competitions. There is always a space to grow and improve, and naturally competitions will evolve.
I doubt the ESL will ever happen, but hopefully the idea helps to make change in football overall, because the idea of the league certainly is not a terrible one.
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