A22 Sports’ chief has explained how Super League’s new plan will replace UCL
64 clubs, 3 divisions: Revolutionizing European Football: A22 Sports Unveils an Ambitious Super League Plan as UCL Replacement
The chief executive of A22 Sports has revealed an extensive plan for the highly anticipated Super League competition, positioning it as a potential successor to the renowned UEFA Champions League (UCL). Despite generating interest, this proposal faces resistance from several European clubs. A22 Sports, a key supporter of the European Super League, recently presented updated plans following a European court ruling deeming UEFA’s restrictive regulations on new competitions “unlawful.”
A New Vision:
Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports, provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed structure, featuring a three-league, 64-club men’s competition and a two-league, 32-club women’s competition. This ambitious initiative aims to replace both the UEFA Champions League and the Women’s Champions League, garnering mixed reactions across the football community.
Stakeholder Positions:
While influential figures like Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez and Barcelona’s Joan Laporta publicly endorse A22’s plans, opposition surfaces from entities such as FIFPRO, UEFA, FIFA, and the European Club Association (ECA). The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Ligue 1, along with major clubs like Manchester United and Bayern Munich, remain steadfast in their refusal to support Freeproposed Super League.
A Defiant Stance:
Despite the court ruling, the Premier League emphasized its rejection of the “European Super League,” reaffirming its commitment to existing UEFA competitions. Manchester United and Bayern Munich echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential threat the proposed competition poses to the structure of European football and the importance of national leagues.
Streaming Platform Proposal:
A22 Sports introduces a groundbreaking element with the proposal of a new sports streaming platform exclusively for the Super League. This platform promises free access to all matches, sustained by advertising, premium subscriptions, and sponsorships.
League Structure:
The men’s Super League is envisioned to comprise the “Star” and “Gold” leagues, each featuring 16 clubs, along with a larger “Blue League” of 32 clubs. Promotion and relegation dynamics, based on domestic league performance, will be incorporated, and teams will engage in a minimum of 14 matches per year, played midweek. The knockout stage at the end of each season will determine the champions of each league.
Reactions from the National Leagues:
The German Football League (DFL) and France’s Ligue 1 express strong support for existing European sports models organized by federations and leagues, rejecting competitions outside these frameworks.
UEFA and Club Presidents’ Statements:
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin asserts, “Football is not for sale,” emphasizing the non-negotiable value of the sport. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reinforces the club’s rejection of the Super League, aligning with UEFA. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) emphasizes its commitment to protecting national championships and sporting merit.
Women’s Super League:
A parallel structure is proposed for the women’s Super League, comprising the “Star” and “Gold” leagues, mirroring the men’s format. The guarantee of income for the initial three years and a significant 8% allocation for “solidarity payments” demonstrate A22’s commitment to fostering stability and fairness in the league. With a minimum payment of €400 million ($439 million).
The Road Ahead:
A22 Sports emphasizes that the proposed Super League is the result of extensive dialogues with fans, players, clubs, and leagues over the past two years, underscoring their dedication to inclusivity and collaboration in shaping the future of European football.
