Fierce reaction as proposed European Super League roars back
Spanish clubs are believed to be behind the return of a new Super League competition, drawing a fierce reaction across Europe.
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There has been a furious reaction to the proposed revision of the European Super League format.
The new proposal features four divisions for a 96-club European Super League, which would be inspired by the European Union flag — Star, Gold, Blue and Union.
Promoter A22 Sports unveiled its format for a “Unify League” and said it had written to FIFA and UEFA to ask for official endorsement, as The Sun reports.
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The firm’s previous plan for a closed 20-team league folded in April 2021 amid a fierce fan backlash.
But A22 bosses believe UEFA must endorse its proposal following a December 2023 European Court of Justice ruling that previous tactics used to block a Super League were contrary to EU law.
An A22 spokesperson confirmed: “The names of the leagues are named after the EU Flag/Flag of the Council of Europe.
“The Unify proposal is aligned with the principles of the European Union and compliant with its laws.
“It is open to all clubs from across the 55 countries.”
Unlike the original format, which was set to feature the continent’s most powerful and wealthy clubs, teams would earn a place on merit and not be guaranteed entry.
Games would be streamed free on a direct-to-fan Unify platform, with viewers likely to pay a subscription to go ad-free.
But one fan blasted: “They’ve used an EU ruling as the justification and now the flag seems to have inspired the leagues. It stinks.”
A senior UEFA figure called the plan “bulls**t” and “a Christmas pantomime”.
Tim Payton, from the Arsenal Supporters Trust, added: “We utterly condemn these proposals and are against any breakaway or super leagues.”
He urged the football regulator currently being set up by the UK government to block the proposal.
Top Unify League division Star would involve 16 clubs in two pools of eight.
Second league Gold would be the same.
The remaining 64 teams would be in Blue and Union divisions.
Each of those would be split into four pools of eight.
A women’s competition would also run alongside.
Madrid-based A22 is backed by Real Madrid, its chief Florentino Perez, and Barcelona.
A22 CEO Bernd Reichart said the Unify League aimed to address challenges such as increased TV subscription costs, an overloaded calendar, insufficient investment in women’s football, and dissatisfaction with the format and governance of current competitions.
He cited the ECJ 2023 ruling that states “any competition where qualification is inclusive and meritocratic, and which complies with the overall match calendar can be officially established”.
Mr Reichart said A22 had consulted with clubs, leagues and other groups.
But Arsenal fan Payton said: “I don’t believe they’ve had any meaningful discussions with supporter groups.
“We have pushed Arsenal in our meetings with them since the Super League — and they always tell us they are committed to the existing structures and competitive balance.
“We would urge the club to condemn and ignore moves like this.
“It is a breakaway and being proposed by people outside the FA, Premier League and UEFA structure.
“They are badging it up as being a bit more competitive but it’s still a breakaway and propagated by Real Madrid and Barcelona.”
Manchester United fan and football writer Andy Mitten added: “I don’t think this is a goer and it seems to be being pushed by Real Madrid.
“I am not in favour.”
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission
Originally published as Fierce reaction as proposed European Super League roars back
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