The Premiere League ‘big six’ UK teams have agreed to join a new European Super League (ESL). Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham will join other top football clubs from around Europe.
So far 12 clubs are to be part of the ESL, including AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid. They will all play in a new midweek competition, but still continue to compete in their respective national leagues.
The ESL hope to start as soon as practicably possible, and anticipate that more clubs will join. They also plan to launch a women’s competition as soon as they can after the start of the men’s.
Uefa and the Premier League both condemn the move, with criticism it is driven solely by money and will destroy the domestic league. To sum up, it goes against the integrity of the sport.
World football governing body Fifa said that a competition such as this would not be recognised. In addition, any players involved could be denied the chance to play at a World Cup. Europe’s governing body Eufa agreed by saying any player involved would receive a ban from all other tournaments at domestic, European or world level. Featuring in the ESL could prevent players representing their national team.
However, the ESL sent letters to both Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Uefa boss Aleksander Ceferin warning of legal proceedings to block any sanctions they may attempt to enforce.
Following the announcement of the ESL, Fifa expressed its disapproval, calling on all parties to engage in discussion “for the good of the game”.
The ESL say the founding clubs will talk with Uefa and Fifa. They will “work together in partnership to deliver the best outcomes for the new league and for football as a whole.”
What is the proposed format?
There has been previous talks of a new 36 team competition to replace the Champions League. Uefa hoped these plans would prevent the formation of a Super League. However, the 12 clubs involved in the Super League think it will not be enough.
There has been extensive talks over the future of European football. But the founding teams believe the solutions proposed do not solve fundamental issues. This includes needing to provide higher-quality matches and more financial resources for the overall football pyramid.
They say the global pandemic has “accelerated the instability in the existing European football economic model”.
There will be 20 teams in total in the league. It will be made up of the 12 founding members, three unnamed clubs expected to join, plus five teams who qualify annually based on their domestic achievements.
The tournament will start each year in August. Games will take place midweek, with clubs split into two groups of 10, playing each other home and away.
The top three sides in each group will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals. The two remaining spots will be decided by a play-off between the teams in fourth and fifth position.
From then on, it will be a two-leg knockout format.
The final will be in May at a neutral venue.
The belief is that this new proposed format will generate more money than the Champions League. This will result in better distribution of revenue throughout the game.
What do the Super League leaders say?
Those involved in creating the Super League feel it will “help football at every level”. It is one of the biggest sports in the world, with the most fans. The move is seen big clubs as a way to meet their responsibility to respond to their fans’ desires.
Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli says the 12 clubs have “come together at this critical moment, enabling European competition to be transformed, putting the game we love on a sustainable footing for the long-term future”.
Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer, who will be a vice-chairman of the Super League, says “by bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football”. He believes it will ensure world-class competition and facilities, and increase financial support for football as a whole.
‘The ultimate betrayal’
The general view from those not involved in the proposed league is that it will damage the game. Governing bodies across Europe are uniting to do everything they can to try to stop the breakaway.
Fan groups associated with the six English teams strongly oppose the Super League. They are “appalled” by the decision, describing the move as “unforgivable”, “unacceptable” and “the ultimate betrayal”.
The fans feel they have been ignored by the greedy pursuit of money, in a “concept driven by avarice and self-interest at the expense of the intrinsic values of the game we hold so dear”. The move shows “those involved have zero regard for the game’s traditions”.
Everyone against the proposed Super League is determined to fight it, as it goes against everything that football should stand for.
Thank you for reading UK Top Teams to Join European Super League
Looking for a storage solution for your garden furniture, tools and belongings? Look no further – Garden Sheds at affordable prices.