Despite backlash from fans, those backing a European Super League are pushing ahead with plans to create a new breakaway competition to rival the Champions League.
Plans for such a competition were first unveiled in the summer of 2021 with most of Europe’s biggest clubs signed up, but the majority of them backed out following significant protests from fans.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus have remained committed though, even in the face of threats from FIFA and UEFA, and a new format has now been put forward.
When the Super League was first announced in 2021, the plan was for it to be an annual competition consisting of 20 clubs with 15 permanent members and five spots being given out based on sporting achievements each season.
This proposal wasn’t popular with fans, with the majority throughout Europe unhappy with the idea of reputation rather than merit deciding which sides compete in an elite competition.
Supporters made their feelings clear, protesting outside the stadiums of the teams they supported, and these protests along with threats from UEFA and FIFA led to nine of the 12 supposed founding members – including England’s top six clubs – pulling out, with only Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus not doing so.
As a result, the Super League announced that the plans would be put on hold and reshaped.
Teams involved in initial Super League proposal
|
Team |
Nation |
|---|---|
|
Arsenal |
England |
|
Chelsea |
England |
|
Liverpool |
England |
|
Manchester City |
England |
|
Manchester United |
England |
|
Tottenham Hotspur |
England |
|
Inter |
Italy |
|
Juventus |
Italy |
|
Milan |
Italy |
|
Atletico Madrid |
Spain |
|
Barcelona |
Spain |
|
Real Madrid |
Spain |
Chairman and vice-chairmen
|
Name |
Position |
Club |
Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Florentino Perez |
Chairman |
Real Madrid |
Spain |
|
Andrea Agnelli |
Vice-chairman |
Juventus |
Italy |
|
Joel Glazer |
Vice-chairman |
Manchester United |
United States |
|
John W. Henry |
Vice-chairman |
Liverpool |
United States |
|
Stan Kroenke |
Vice-chairman |
Arsenal |
United States |
European Super League prize money
The Super League’s own website says “solidarity payments” will go beyond €10bn during its innitial commitment period.
It has been reported that founding members of the European Super League would hope to earn as much as €350m each season. The prize money for winning the UEFA Champions League in 2021/22 was worth around £70m for comparison.
The league would also hope to generate commercial and broadcasting revenue, similar to what has been seen with the Premier League in recent years. Total revenue from such deals could exceed €4bn.
The Super League didn’t disappear after the initial collapse by…
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