2023-12-22T11:48:48+00:00
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/ In light of the continued loud opposition to the European Super League project, which is a “breakaway” from the Champions League, especially from fan groups, leagues, clubs and player representatives, it seems that the decision issued yesterday, Thursday, by the European Court of Justice is not able, at least in the near future, to change the football scene in the old continent.
While the position issued by both the European Football Association (UEFA) and its international counterpart (FIFA) was completely expected since they are the other party in the conflict, the pressure imposed by fans in particular and representatives of players, clubs and, to a lesser extent, leagues, warns that the “Super League” project will not see the light of day soon, according to the French website “France 24”.
UEFA was quick to respond that the court’s decision does not mean that it supports the launch of the new competition, adding: “This ruling does not mean that it approves or ratifies the so-called ‘Super League’, but rather highlights the existing deficiency in UEFA’s pre-authorization framework, a technical aspect that was already recognized and addressed in June 2022 with the adoption of new regulations.”
But that didn’t stop Super League promoter I22 Sports Management from quickly unveiling its proposal for a 64-team men’s competition divided into three divisions.
Participation in these three divisions will be “based on sporting merit”, with no permanent members and clubs remaining committed to their domestic leagues, according to its chief executive Bernd Reichart.
But, with the exception of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, who were at the heart of the project that initially included 12 clubs when it was unveiled in April 2021, it is not yet clear who is currently backing the plan.
As soon as the European Court of Justice announced its decision, clubs rushed to support UEFA as the governing body of the game on the continent, including those who are not convinced by the new format of the Champions League that will be implemented starting next season.
UEFA unveiled the new system immediately after the Super League was first launched in April 2021, and it has faced criticism from several quarters, but there is now near consensus that the current system of European football, under the umbrella of UEFA, is better than anything promoted by the Super League’s administrators.