The chairman of the organization putting up the new proposal claims that supporters and clubs may be persuaded to support the new ideas for a breakaway European league.
Twelve teams committed to the independent European Super League (ESL), which was created to compete with Uefa championships, in 2021.
European Super League: Fans and clubs can be convinced
Hours after the European Court of Justice declared on Thursday that it was illegal to exclude clubs from joining the league, the ESL was redesigned.
Aleksander Ceferin, the president of UEFA, jeered at the fresh ideas.
During a press conference on Thursday, Ceferin expressed his belief that “football is not for sale” and expressed his excitement for observing a competition between two teams.
“We’re not going to try to stop them. Anything they want to make, they can,” he continued.
On Thursday, four of the six Premier League teams that had supported secession plans in 2021 before abandoning them declared their commitment to Uefa competitions.
A22, the organization that supported the first European Super League, presented the revised plan, which calls for a league system with 64 men’s clubs and 32 women’s clubs.
The plans, which describe an annual promotion and relegation system without permanent members, have “evolved” from the initial European Super League, A22 Chief Executive Bernd Reichart told BBC Sport.
The initial ESL plan received harsh criticism and condemnation from supporters, fans, European domestic leagues, and even the government, which led to the proposal’s collapse within 72 hours.
“The 99% of the critics [of the original European Super League] in the UK were against permanent membership, that you cannot be relegated,” Reichart stated.
“They considered that to be a betrayal of football’s heritage. We are now discussing a meritocratic, open, and accessible league system in Europe that would run concurrently with domestic leagues, ending late in the week without affecting the national leagues.
“If we convince clubs and convince their fans, why wouldn’t fans not join?”
He mentioned that some clubs are considering the new idea, but he wouldn’t mention who they are for fear of “dividing football again.”
“We want to make a proposal that is steadily convincing clubs and fans,” he stated.
“The most crucial aspect is that it will take place in broad daylight; everyone will be able to participate in proposals and won’t have to worry about punishments going forward.
“If no club is convinced, no proposal, not even ours, will move forward.”
The A22 CEO clarified that while the new format was designed with the present football schedule in mind, players’ health would come first and would be determined only by athletic merit.
“We are not increasing the number of matchdays, but we are filling them with a better, more exciting competition,” he stated.
Additionally, according to Reichart, the new plan can present chances for smaller, more successful teams, like Girona, the top team in La Liga, to play 14 games and “participate in the European dream from the first match to the last match.”.
“We don’t need to expel or threaten anyone.”
European domestic leagues, led by the Premier League, which declared in a statement that it would “continue to reject any such concept” as the European Super League, were among the first to denounce A22’s new initiative.
“Supporters are of vital importance to the game, and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a ‘breakaway’ competition that severs the link between domestic and European football,” the statement continued.
Champions League winners Manchester City stated that they are “committed to the values of European football” and that their stance on a breakaway league “has not changed.”
In addition, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham declared their continued commitment to participating in UEFA competitions, while Bayern Munich declared that “the door for the Super League remains closed.”.
Six Premier League teams, including City, United, Chelsea, and Spurs, were initially interested in the European Super League but withdrew after the plans were widely criticized.
As the governing body faced criticism for alterations made to the Champions League structure, which are scheduled to take effect in the 2024–2025 season, Ceferin stated that Uefa saw the European Court of Justice (ECJ) verdict as a “chance to improve some regulations.”.
But he also believed that “old facts” served as the foundation for the ECJ’s ruling. Since the ESL was first established, Uefa claims to have improved its regulations, which now “comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.”.
The European Clubs Association (ECA) leader, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, stated: “They see it as a victory, but it isn’t that at all.”
Clubs continue to see Uefa competitions as the greatest in the world, he continued, adding that Uefa is “working on the security, medical, and reform of competitions.”.
“We don’t have to exile or threaten anyone. It’s okay to compete on your own. However, he asserted that the Champions League is the world’s greatest club competition.
“The brand has been around for a very long time. The music is a brand unto itself.”
“Hopefully, they begin their amazing competition with two clubs.”
The revelation that 12 teams, including English teams Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham, had signed up for the breakaway tournament marked the beginning of the European Super League saga in April 2021.
Only Barcelona and Real Madrid, two of the twelve participating teams, were interested in the establishment of a new European league.
Encouraged by numerous clubs’ and the German, French, and English leagues’ opposition to the revised ESL plans, Ceferin made fun of the idea that just two teams would participate in the new competition.
“I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs,” he stated.
“I saw the purported A22 presentation. It’s difficult to determine whether the presentation should shock or amuse you. Everyone rejected 2021, and it is even more closed than that.”