European Super League’s official proposal RELEASED, here’s how the new format looks

European Super League aims to revamp the club competitions to a new level.

European Super League’s official proposal RELEASED, here’s how the new format looks

European Super League's official proposal is released with a detailed explanation of new format. (Image via Hypebeast)

After an attempt to launch another Football tournament earlier in 2021, Florentino Perez has returned with a new version of the European Super League. With a revised prospect to replace the UEFA Champions League and the Women’s Champions League, now, the European Court ruling deemed that the UEFA restrictions were ‘unlawful’.

Furthermore, A22 Sports CEO Bernd Reichart has outlined plans for a three-league and 64-club men’s competition. There will be 32 teams and two leagues for the women’s tournament. Two of Spain’s biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, supported the proposals.

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This is what the Super League format looks like:

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  • 2 teams bottom of the 2 groups in Star League get relegated, and are replaced by the 2 finalists of Gold League.
  • 2 teams bottom of Gold League are relegated, replaced by the 2 finalists of Blue League.
  • 20 out of 32 teams in Blue League exit the competition and are replaced by 20 NEW teams based on the performances in their Domestic League.
  • The competition will be played mid-week, compatible with Domestic Leagues.
  • League will last from September to April.
  • Play-offs will be played April – May.

However, FIFA, UEFA, and the European Clubs Association strongly oppose A22’s plan, with FIFPRO also criticizing it. Clubs like Manchester United, Monaco, and Bayern Munich have rejected the proposal in favor of UEFA.

A22’s concept offers free fan access through advertising and subscriptions. The men’s competition includes ‘Star’ and ‘Gold’ leagues with sixteen clubs each, plus a ‘Blue League’ with 32 teams. This, along with ‘solidarity payments,’ makes up 8% of the Super League income, guaranteeing a minimum of €400 million.

UEFA decides to ABANDON the new format in the hope of defeating the Super League

Football’s governing bodies, UEFA and FIFA, faced a significant setback as the European Union’s top court, the Court of Justice, ruled that they acted unlawfully by threatening sanctions on players and clubs participating in the proposed European Super League (ESL) in 2021. Subsequently, Aleksander Ceferin made it clear in a statement that they would not be making any changes to the current format of the competition.

Aleksander Čeferin
Aleksander Čeferin (Source: UEFA)

Furthermore, in the same light, UEFA have decided to stick with its current format to defeat the Super League concept. They will also challenge the court’s verdict to get a swifter solution to the problem.

While acknowledging past shortcomings in its system, UEFA expressed confidence in its new regulations complying with European law. The ruling’s broader implications suggest a shift in the dynamics of sports competition governance, with potential impacts beyond football.

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