The European Super League has once again made headlines as A22 Sports, its backer, presented updated proposals for a Champions League replacement. This move comes after a European court ruling that found UEFA’s restrictions on new competitions to be “unlawful.” While A22 Sports CEO Bernd Reichart outlined plans for a new men’s and women’s competition, the reaction to these proposals has been met with strong criticism from various stakeholders in the football world.
The A22 plans for a three-league, 64-club men’s competition and a two-league, 32-club women’s competition aims to replace the UEFA Champions League and Women’s Champions League. Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and Barcelona President Joan Laporta have publicly voiced their support for the A22 plans. However, prominent organizations such as FIFA, UEFA, FIFPRO, and the European Club Association (ECA) have once again positioned themselves against the creation of a new Europe-wide club competition.
The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Ligue 1 have reiterated their stance against a Super League, with clubs like Manchester United and Bayern Munich also expressing their opposition. The Premier League stated, “The ruling does not endorse the so-called ‘European Super League’ and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept.” Similarly, Manchester United emphasized their commitment to UEFA competitions and positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich described the proposed competition as an attack on the national leagues and the overall structure of European football.
A22 proposed the launch of a new sports streaming platform to broadcast the Super League, ensuring that all matches would be accessible to fans for free. The income generation for this streaming platform would come from advertising, premium subscriptions, and sponsorship. A22’s plan for the men’s Super League includes two leagues: the “Star” and “Gold” leagues, each comprising 16 clubs, and a third “Blue League” consisting of 32 clubs. The promotion and relegation system would allow clubs to move between leagues based on their performance in domestic competitions. Each club would play a minimum of 14 matches per year, with matches scheduled midweek. At the end of the season, a knockout stage involving eight clubs would determine the champions of each league.
Several football entities have strongly opposed the A22 proposals, including the German Football League (DFL), responsible for the Bundesliga, which stated its explicit support for the European sports model and rejection of competitions outside those organized by the federations and leagues. France’s Ligue 1 also made its position clear, unequivocally supporting competitions organized by UEFA. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin expressed his disapproval, stating, “Football is not for sale.” The reaction from these entities demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the integrity and existing structures of football in Europe.
A22’s proposal for the women’s Super League includes two leagues: the “Star” and “Gold” leagues, each consisting of 16 clubs playing in groups of eight. The format mirrors that of the men’s Super League. A22 assured guaranteed income for the first three years, with “solidarity payments” representing 8% of the Super League’s income, including a minimum payment of €400 million ($439m). According to A22, these proposals are the result of extensive dialogue with fans, players, clubs, and leagues over the past two years.
The A22 Sports’ proposals for the European Super League have reignited the debate surrounding the creation of a new elite club competition. While some clubs and their presidents have voiced support, there has been widespread opposition from key football entities, leagues, and clubs. The proposed broadcasting model and formats for both men’s and women’s competitions have drawn attention, but concerns about the integrity of national leagues and the overall structure of European football persist. The future of the European Super League remains uncertain as the football world continues to assess and debate its potential implications.
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