A22 Sports, the European Super League’s backer, unveiled fresh suggestions for a Champions League alternative on Thursday after a European court ruled that UEFA’s rules barring the development of new tournaments were “unlawful.”
Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports, revealed plans for a three-league, 64-club men’s competition and a two-league, 32-club women’s competition. It would be the successor to the UEFA Champions League and the Women’s Champions League.
So far, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Barcelona president Joan Laporta have publicly backed the A22 plans, while the players’ union, FIFPRO, as well as UEFA, FIFA, and the European Club Association (ECA), have spoken out against a new Europe-wide club competition.
The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Ligue 1 leagues, as well as teams such as Manchester United and Bayern Munich, have all stated their opposition to a Super League.
“The ruling does not endorse the so-called ‘European Super League’ and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept,” the Premier League said in a statement.
Manchester United said in a statement on Thursday, “Our position has not changed.” We remain fully committed to participating in UEFA competitions and to beneficial engagement with UEFA, the Premier League, and other clubs on the future growth of the European game through the ECA.”
On Thursday, Bayern Munich echoed Manchester United, saying that “such a competition would be an attack on the importance of national leagues and the structure of European football.”
What’s The New ESL Format?
A22 proposed launching a new sports streaming network to broadcast the Super League, claiming that all matches would be free to viewers, with revenue earned through advertising, premium subscriptions, and sponsorship.
According to A22, the men’s Super League would be divided into two leagues: the “Star” and “Gold” leagues, each with 16 clubs, and a third “Blue League” with 32 clubs.
The leagues would be promoted and relegated, with entrance to the Blue League determined by domestic league performance.
Clubs would compete in groups of eight, home and away, with a minimum of 14 midweek matches per year. At the end of each season, the winners of each league would be determined by a knockout tournament of eight clubs.
In the women’s Super League, there would be two leagues, the “Star” and “Gold” leagues, with 16 clubs in each, playing in groups of eight in a similar structure.
A22 stated that income would be guaranteed for the first three years, and that “solidarity payments” would account for 8% of Super League revenue, with a minimum payment of €400 million ($439 million).
According to the group, the plan is the result of “extensive dialogue” with fans, players, teams, and leagues over the last two years.
What Does Footballing Powers Say About ESL?
The German Football League (DFL), which oversees the Bundesliga, stated that it “explicitly supports the European sports model and rejects competitions other than those organized by federations and leagues.”
Ligue 1 in France has stated that it “unequivocally supports” UEFA competitions.
On the verdict and A22 Sports’ revised format proposal, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin stated on Thursday: “Football is not for sale.”
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has stated unequivocally that the club supports UEFA.
“Paris Saint-Germain rejects wholly and completely any so-called Super League project, which has been the case since day one and will always remain the case,” he said.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) reiterated its resolve to defend national championships “in defence of the broader and more general principle of sporting merit and respect for international calendars.”
