New European Super League format would have up to 80 teams and multiple divisions
A new version of the European Super League is set to be established with up to 80 teams taking part across multiple divisions.
News of the controversial competition’s re-emergence comes two years after the initial project collapsed, having been met with fury by supporters across Europe. The idea has now received a major facelift, with there reportedly being no permanent members.
Instead, the new proposals indicate entry would be based on sporting performance and contain a multi-divisional format that will include between 60 and 80 clubs.
READ MORE: Real Madrid and Barcelona plus Juventus lose European Super League sanctions battle
The chief executive of A22 Sports Management – the company in charge of promoting the idea of a ‘Super League’ – told German newspaper Die Welt teams would be guaranteed a minimum of 14 matches a season.
Bernd Reichart wrote: “The foundations of European football are in danger of collapsing. It’s time for a change. It is the clubs that bear the entrepreneurial risk in football. But when important decisions are at stake, they are too often forced to sit idly by on the sidelines as the sporting and financial foundations crumble around them.
(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
“Our talks have also made it clear that clubs often find it impossible to speak out publicly against a system that uses the threat of sanctions to thwart opposition. Our dialogue was open, honest, constructive and resulted in clear ideas about what changes are needed and how they could be implemented. There is a lot to do and we will continue our dialogue.”
Reichart also explained how the Super League would be an open competition, with qualification coming as a result of performance at national level. As such, all of its teams would continue to compete in their own domestic leagues.
(Image: Getty Images)
He claimed the national leagues would remain “the foundation” of the game, while arguing that the Super League would in fact generate new revenues to support the entire pyramid – which had been a major point of contention among the clubs excluded.
The initial proposal featured 12 permanent members, including six from the Premier League. Fans of English clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool heavily protested the changes with large demonstrations.
Yet no English sides are involved with the new proposal – which is being led by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus. All three clubs in recent years have grown increasingly concerned about their financial problems and the imbalance between Premier League sides and the rest of Europe’s top divisions.
(Image: Getty Images)
The issue was clear in the recent January transfer window, where 31 of the 35 most expensive signings were made by English clubs. None were made by Spanish, German or Italian clubs.
Meanwhile, A22 has challenged UEFA and FIFA’s right to block the formation of the Super League and sanction the competing clubs in the courts, arguing the governing bodies are abusing a dominant position under EU competition law.
READ NEXT: