D-DAY FOR UEFA OVER ESL RULING
A NEW proposal to establish a European Super League faces decision-day in court this week.
Fifteen judges at the European Court of Justice are set to rule on an attempt to smash UEFA’S jurisdiction over the European game on Thursday – and this time the plan is to invite up to 80 of the continent’s top clubs to join the revolution.
The initial bid to formulate a 20-club Super League that would be played outside of UEFA’S control collapsed in April 2021 when Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham withdrew their support.
But a revamped idea is being led by sports development company A22 Sports. A22 want to take away UEFA’S ability to punish clubs for competing in rival tournaments – and if the judgement goes their way it is likely to be a watershed moment for the game.
The ESL would usurp the Champions League and be played alongside domestic competitions. It would generate TV revenues that would dwarf the Premier League’s latest £6.7billion deal.
Bernd Reichart, who is leading A22’s challenge, said: “Hopefully the judges will seize the opportunity to recast European sport.
“We want to end monopolies like UEFA, which is a private association with accumulated power of regulator, judge, jury and executioner.
“It (UEFA) leads to conflicts of interest and abuse of power. They govern the sport but do not bear responsibility within Europe.”
England’s six ‘rogue’ clubs made a goodwill payment of £22million to the Premier League when their role in the ESL idea was revealed.
Real Madrid took a case to the Spanish courts when UEFA threatened them with expulsion from their competitions if they continued with their Super League dream. Their stance was upheld – but the matter is now set to be judged by the European Court.
Reichart added: “As Real Madrid were made to understand, UEFA’S sanction would have been exclusion from European football and to make sure players were not allowed to participate in the World Cup in Qatar.
“UEFA would have been wringing Real Madrid’s neck. The Spanish court thought so, too – and it came up with a protection order. That was sent to the European Court because UEFA is not complying.
“If we have a licence to compete then we then have to convince clubs that our alternative model is better for their future.”