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    European Super League plotters try to woo minsters – and snubbed as their plan poses an ‘existential threat’

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    PLOTTERS behind a new European Super League in football launched a shameless bid to convince UK ministers to back the scheme – and were rebuffed.Culture and Sport Secretary Lucy Frazer told those behind the plan it would pose an “existential threat” to the game.
    Footie fans protestingCredit: Getty
    Proposals for an international breakaway league for Europe’s star clubs were rejected two years ago after an outcry from fans.
    But a Madrid-based group has resurrected the idea after euro judges issued a bombshell ruling giving them the green light
    In a shameless attempt to make No10 carry out a Super League U-turn, the company wrote to Ms Frazer offering to walk her through the plans.
    Ms Frazer snubbed the request by A22 CEO Bernd Reichart and warned him the UK government is dead set against his unpopular scheme.
    In a letter seen by The Sun on Sunday, she wrote: “The UK Government’s position has not changed: we do not support a breakaway competition that does not have the support of the fans and that threatens the heritage and financial position of English football.
    “The European Super League proposal poses an existential threat to our national game.
    “English football has, for centuries, thrived on its inherent drama, the underdog triumphs, the passionate rivalries, and the shared community it fosters.
    “These qualities are not incidental; they are fundamental to its success. The sport is nothing without its fans, and the UK Government takes their views extremely seriously.
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    “I trust that this explains the UK Government’s position.”
    Backers of the European Super League claim 20 clubs across the continent have agreed to sign up to the project.
    They are thought to include Barcelona and Real Madrid.
    But UK footie fans loathe the idea, as they fear it would suck money, attention and footballers away from British top flight football.
    While it would shatter the dream that any club – no matter how small – could rise up the leagues and play against the best. More

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      European Super League chief confirms TWENTY clubs have said yes to project with ‘enough teams to get started’

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      A EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE chief claims 20 clubs have agreed to join the controversial project.And he believes they now have enough support to launch the breakaway.
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta is desperate for the European Super League to get underwayCredit: Getty
      Fans slammed the Premier League clubs who initially agreed to sign up in 2021Credit: Alamy
      A22 Sports Management are leading the charge to resurrect the ESL plans after it was initially quashed within 48 hours amid furious backlash in April 2021.
      However, a bombshell ruling by the European Court of Justice determined Fifa and Uefa acted against competition law when they blocked the moves.
      Barcelona and Real Madrid publicly voiced their approval of the judge’s decision although the six English clubs vowed to stay out while Serie A will exile any rebels.
      Now Madrid-based A22 have said they have drummed up the required sign-ups to get the hated Super League off the ground after a wave of talks with dozens of teams.
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      A22 co-founder and general secretary Anas Laghrari told Ouest-France: “Since December 21, we have spoken with around 50 different clubs.
      “About 20 of them are very, very motivated by the project. We already have enough clubs to start a competition.
      “I don’t want to say their names because I don’t want to expose them.
      “A club that has already given its commitment, but that published a statement to position itself against it, told us, ‘It’s exactly the same as when you confirm a coach for the job and fire him in the following weeks…'”
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      The December court outcome sparked revival for the ESL traitors, spearheaded by the two LaLiga giants.
      And they have even unveiled their plans for how the format would work.
      After the original 12-team closed shop was shot down, the new league would feature three tiers with 64 clubs involved.
      That would include 16 sides apiece in the Star and Gold leagues, the top two tiers, with the remaining 32 in the Blue division.
      Promotion and relegation will be used after all, with no permanent members as clubs qualify on sporting merit only.
      Laghari – who confirmed every match would be free to watch on streaming platform Unify – added: “We are very busy talking to different clubs, fan associations, players and people who are involved in football on a day-to-day basis.
      “They all call us to better understand this project because, since it is possible and legal to propose an alternative, the actors want to work.
      “We can work together to improve football.
      “Once everyone understands that it is much fairer to have an authentic European pyramid, and not a system in which the quarter of the Spanish league is worth more than the Belgian champions, people will go towards this model.
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      “All the games will be free and it will be that way forever. Gmail is free, WhatsApp is free, Instagram is free and yet they generate a lot of money per user.”
      A paid service costing approximately £8.50 per month would provide supporters with an ad-free subscription. More

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      New rule introduced which will see teams THROWN OUT of major tournament if they join Super League

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      SERIE A have introduced a new rule prohibiting its teams from joining the European Super League.This effectively means that no Italian club will be joining the project, which was revived last week.
      Clubs in the Serie A will not be able to join the European Super LeagueCredit: Alamy
      Fabrizio Romano tweeted that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) will not allow clubs to join any competition other than Uefa, Fifa and FIGC ones.
      If any Italian club still opts to join the European Super League project, they will be banned from the Serie A from the 2024/25 season onwards.
      The ruling is significant as Juventus were previously one of the last teams holding out for the European Super League.
      Along with Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Bianconeri never left the original project which fell apart in April 2021.
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      Juventus only formally left the project this summer.
      With several Italian clubs struggling financially, the Super League did look a possible way to build revenue.
      Inter Milan are reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy according to Il Giornale despite being top of the league and finishing runners up in the Champions League last season.
      Only the player sales of Andre Onana to Manchester United and Marcelo Brozovic to Al Nassr were enough to keep the club going according to the Italian outlet.
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      The British government has moved to take things one step further than the Serie A by making it against the law for British teams to join the breakaway competition.
      That will be overseen by a new football regulator coming into force from 2024.
      A spokesperson for the government said on the legislation: “The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government.
      “We took decisive action at the time by triggering the fan-led review of football governance, which called for the creation of a new independent regulator for English football. 
      “We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that makes this a reality, and will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.” More

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      Arsenal and Liverpool only two of Prem’s Big Six NOT to reject new Super League plot as football descends into war again

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      FOOTBALL was thrust into an all-out Super League scrap last night.Judges decided Uefa CANNOT punish any breakaway rebels.
      Stan Kroenke’s Arsenal are yet to come out against the reformed Super LeagueCredit: PA
      John W Henry’s Liverpool were part of the original ‘Dirty Dozen’ and have also stayed silentCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The shock ruling opened up a second attempt to form a new competition.
      Last night Arsenal and Liverpool were the only Big Six outfits yet to reject a second version of the scheme, which is loathed by fans.
      And the Government warned they will try to ban clubs from joining it under new laws.
      Nearly three years after the initial plot collapsed in 48 hours, European Court of Justice yesterday ruled that Uefa “abused a dominant position” when it threatened sanctions against the breakaway clubs.
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      Judges in the Luxembourg court insisted it was not ruling on the merits of the Super League concept but only Uefa’s attempt to “unlawfully” block its development.
      The shock decision opened the door to a second attempt to form a new competition — led by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Within hours, Super League’s PR firm A22 unveiled a new 64-team competition split into three tiers and effectively ring-fencing Europe’s elite teams at the top of the pile.
      It was met for anger and derision from fans — but is sure to tempt owners of European giants.
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      A22 boss Bernd Reichart hailed: “Under our plan, clubs that almost never play each other would compete regularly on the European stage.
      “It will guarantee fantastic, exciting matches through the entire year, not just part of the year.
      “We are now talking about an open, accessible, meritocratic league system in Europe side by side with domestic leagues, late mid-week leaving the national leagues untouched.
      “If we convince clubs and convince their fans, why wouldn’t fans not join?”
      We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. Football is not for sale.Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin
      Fifa, Uefa, the Premier League and the influential European Club Association all joined the furious backlash, insisting that protecting the current system was essential for the good of the game.
      Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin conceded he had lost the sanctions threat and could not ban rebel players from playing in the Euros or World Cup.
      But he mocked: “I watched the so-called presentation and didn’t know whether to be shocked or amused.
      “It’s close to Christmas, they saw a box under the tree and started to celebrate, but then when they opened the box they realised there was not much inside.
      “We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. Football is not for sale.”
      ‘European Zombie League’
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino appeared to agree with Ceferin but added: “With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today’s judgement does not change anything, really.”
      Manchester United, one of the Big Six to initially sign up to the £3bn scheme in 2021, came out in support of the status quo, joined by Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
      United said: “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in Uefa competitions, and to positive cooperation with Uefa, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
      It took some five hours for Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham to follow suit with similar statements.
      Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid were among those to rule themselves out of A22’s plan.
      But none of Arsenal, Liverpool or Newcastle made ANY comment.
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Barcelona were crowing at the victory and Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentis — omitted from the original ‘Dirty Dozen’ rebels — signalled he was ready to sign up to any new plan.
      Arsenal fans protested against the initial plot three years agoCredit: Alamy
      The original breakaway plot was stopped by furious fans across the continentCredit: Getty
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “European club football is not and will never be a monopoly again.
      “The Europe of freedoms has triumphed again and football and its fans have also triumphed.”
      That feeling of “triumph” was not shared by the fans. The Football Supporters Federation blasted the “European Zombie League” and added: “There is no place for an ill-conceived breakaway.
      “Supporters, players and clubs have already made clear they don’t want a stitched-up competition.”
      In its response the Prem pointed out the judgement “does not endorse the so-called Super League” and promised to “continue to reject any such concept”.
      The Government added its new Independent Regulator would have the power to block any English clubs from joining the rebels.
      Read more on The Sun
      It said: “The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government.
      “We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.” More

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      Man Utd and Bayern Munich lead European Super League revolt as just two teams in favour of breakaway competition

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      EUROPEAN giants Manchester United and Bayern Munich have both publicly backed away from a revived European Super League.The project kicked back into life after the European Court of Justice determined that Fifa and Uefa acted AGAINST competition law when blocking the formation of a Super League two years ago.
      Bernd Reinchart is the head of A22, the company tasked with making the European Super League a realityCredit: AP
      Manchester United, along with the other traditional big six Premier League clubs had all publicly pledged to join the European Super League in April 2021.
      But their fans, along with fans of Arsenal and Chelsea managed to kibosh the project through massive protests during the covid pandemic.
      That led to most of the original founders of the league backing out of the plan but for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.
      Juventus then withdrew from the project in July 2023.
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      Manchester United have announced that this time, they will play no part in attempting to break away from Uefa and released a statement today saying that their “position had not changed” regarding not being a part of a European Super League.
      It read: “We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
      Bayern were never part of the original founding members of the breakaway competition and have reaffirmed their opposition to it.
      Bayern’s CEO, Jan Christian Dreesen, said in a statement: “We have taken note of the judgement of the European Court of Justice.
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      Bayern CEO, Jan Christian Dreesen has publicly condemned the idea of a Super LeagueCredit: Getty – Contributor
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      “However, this does not change FC Bayern’s and the ECA’s position that such a competition would be an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the structure of European football.
      “The Bundesliga is the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues are the foundation of other European football clubs. It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them.”
      The club also reaffirmed their commitment to the Uefa project and the Champions League.
      PSG chief Nasser El-Khelaifi also firmly rejected the ECA’s court ruling and the club said in a tweet: “Paris Saint-Germain rejects wholly and completely any so-called Super League project, which has been the case since day one and will always remain the case.”
      Other clubs such as Sevilla, Roma and Atletico have also made public statements denouncing the project.
      As of now, only Real Madrid and Barcelona remain committed to the European Super League, with the clubs never withdrawing from the original 2021 project. More

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      What clubs have agreed to be in the European Super League?

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      FANS are up in arms as the European Super League could be on the cards again – but not everyone is against it.The breakaway competition was knocked back in 2021 following a mass outrage.
      Fans are fuming at the Euopean Super LeagueCredit: AP
      Fans think it is the end of footballCredit: AFP
      However, the European Court of Justice determined that FIFA and UEFA acted against competition law when they blocked the formation of the Super League two years ago.
      And now the tournament could be revived but with a whole new format which a couple of footballing giants are firmly behind.
      What clubs have agreed to be in European Super League?
      Spanish titans Real Madrid and Barcelona have committed themselves to the European Super League.
      And they are the driving force behind A22 – the group behind the controversial league.
      Read more on Super League
      Madrid President Florentino Perez rubber-stamped his clubs backing of the competition.
      He said his club ‘welcomes with great satisfaction the decision’ of the European Court of Justice.
      What teams are against it?
      Manchester United have released a statement confirming that they will only be joining UEFA competitions.
      The statement reads: “Our position has NOT changed.
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      “We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game”.
      Since then, several other clubs have said that they are against the European Super League:

       Bayern Munich
       Borussia Dortmund
       PSG
       Atletico Madrid
       Sevilla
       Real Sociedad
       Monaco
       Roma
       Inter
       Feyenoord

      What is the European Super League?
      The European Super League will consist of four clubs being split into three divisions.
      There is set to be a top tier “Star” division that will have 16 clubs in two leagues of eight.
      And the second tier “Gold” division, will have the same while the third tier “Blue” will see 16 teams in four groups of eight.
      That means 14 games – seven home, seven away – in each of the group phases.

      The top four clubs in each of the leagues in the top two tiers will go through to two-legged quarter-finals, followed by two-legged semis and a one-off final in a neutral venue.
      It means the overall winners will play 19 games, six more than in the current Champion League and two more than the maximum number required under the revamped “Swiss model” system coming in next year.
      However, in the Blue tier, the top two in each league will go to the last eight.
      The bottom clubs in the Star leagues will be relegated and replaced by the two Gold finalists. Likewise, the two bottom sides in Gold are replaced by the Blue finalists.
      Up to 20 of the 32 Blue teams will be replaced by teams earning spots through domestic performances.
      Read more on The Sun
      The number of places for each nation and quotas for the tiers have yet to be determined. More

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      What is A22 Sports Management?

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      A22 SPORTS MANAGEMENT has risen to the fore after plans to resurrect the European Super League are back on.The sports marketing company’s mission is to “sponsor and assist” in the “creation of the European Super League”.
      A22 has been created to push through a new European Super League after the first plan attracted widespread protests from football fansCredit: Getty
      But what is A22 and how has it become such a prominent player in the future of football?
      We have you covered here.
      What is A22 Sports Management?
      The Madrid-based company was specifically created in September 2022 with the aim of pushing through legislation for the ESL in the aftermath of the failed attempt in 2021.
      The firm was created in tandem by Euro powerhouses Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus who were the loudest proponents of the breakaway league.
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      Juventus have since officially left the project after they were threatened with expulsion from the Champions League, although are still believed to be supportive of it.
      After he was appointed, CEO Bernd Reichart claimed the European Super league would be “relaunched within three years”.
      The firm took meetings with various bodies and released a manifesto in February 2023, with changed plans.
      While reception to the idea has been muted, especially in England and Germany, a major court ruling has once again opened the door to a new-look ESL.
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      The European Court of Justice has overturned the previous ruling – which blocked the formation of the ESL – and stated that Fifa and Uefa acted against competition law.
      Reichart, a former senior executive for German broadcaster RTL, described the ruling as an “historic day for football” that ends “Uefa’s monopoly over European club football”.
      However, despite the news, A22 appears to face a long fight to push through their changes, with numerous clubs quickly moving to reject the proposals.
      How will A22 Sports Management’s New European Super League look?
      The latest European Super league plans will see a THREE-tier competition, complete with promotion and relegation, with 64 teams in total.
      The first two tiers – dubbed the Star League and the Gold League – are made up of 16 teams each.

      The remaining 32 teams will compete in the Blue League.
      A22’s plans state that participation will be based SOLELY on sporting merit, with no permanent members.
      Promotion and relegation will be decided annually, while promotion into the Blue League is based upon domestic league performance.
      There will be groups of eight teams, playing home and away, making a minimum of 14 games per season.
      After the group stage there is then a knockout stage to determine champions, promotion and relegation.
      The plans state that there will be no additional calendar days to those that already exist, while midweek fixtures will not clash with current domestic calendars.
      What have clubs said about the new European Super League?
      While it is clear that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are supportive of the plans, there was concern from other fans about the stance of their clubs.
      However, many have moved to assure fans that they do NOT approve of A22’s second draft for the European Super League.
      At the time of writing, the following clubs have already released formal statements to say they do not support the new plans:

      Manchester United
      Bayern Munich
      Borussia Dortmund
      Paris Saint-Germain
      Atletico Madrid
      Sevilla
      Real Sociedad
      Monaco
      Roma
      Inter
      Feyenoord

      Other clubs may, or may not, release their own statements in due course.
      The Premier League also released a statement: “Today’s ruling does not endorse the Super League — and the Premier League continues to REJECT any such concept.
      “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.
      Read more on The Sun
      “The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.
      “Football thrives on the competitiveness created by promotion and relegation, the annual merit-based qualification from domestic leagues and cups to international club competitions and the longstanding rivalries and rituals that come with weekends being reserved for domestic football.” More

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      How to watch European Super League and can it be watched for free?

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      FOOTBALL could be changing in front of our very eyes as the European Super League has resurfaced and it has taken a huge step in going ahead.On Thursday, December 21, 2023, the European Court of Justice stated that FIFA and UEFA acted against competition law when they blocked the plans from happening in 2021.
      The European Super League have revealed how fans can tune inCredit: Reuters
      As a result, orchestrators of the European Super League now have the green light for it to potentially take place.
      And CEO of the breakaway league Bernd Reichart has even gone a step further and revealed how fans can watch it.
      Will the European Super League be free to watch?
      Reichart has confirmed that fans will be able to watch the European Super League for FREE.
      It has also been announced that the breakaway league will create a streaming platform called UNIFY where a paid option will allow users to remove ads.
      Read more on Super League
      The CEO said: “We have won the right to compete. UEFA’s monopoly has ended. Football is free.
      “Clubs will no longer suffer threats and sanctions. For the fans: we are going to broadcast all Super League matches for free.”
      What is the European Super League?
      The European Super League will consist of four clubs being split into three divisions.
      There is set to be a top tier “Star” division that will have 16 clubs in two leagues of eight.
      Most read in Football
      And the second tier “Gold” division, will have the same while the third tier “Blue” will see 16 teams in four groups of eight.
      That means 14 games – seven home, seven away – in each of the group phases.
      The top four clubs in each of the leagues in the top two tiers will go through to two-legged quarter-finals, followed by two-legged semis and a one-off final in a neutral venue.
      It means the overall winners will play 19 games, six more than in the current Champion League and two more than the maximum number required under the revamped “Swiss model” system coming in next year.
      However, in the Blue tier, the top two in each league will go to the last eight.
      The bottom clubs in the Star leagues will be relegated and replaced by the two Gold finalists. Likewise, the two bottom sides in Gold are replaced by the Blue finalists.
      Up to 20 of the 32 Blue teams will be replaced by teams earning spots through domestic performances.
      The number of places for each nation and quotas for the tiers have yet to be determined. More

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      European Super League chief vows to make every single match FREE as Barcelona and Real Madrid release shock statements

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      EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE matches are set to be made free to watch for all fans.The controversial proposal could make a comeback after a court ruled that Fifa and Uefa acted unlawfully when they blocked its formation in 2021.
      Bernd Reichart wants ESL matches to be free for fans to watchCredit: Getty
      Following the decision from judges, Barcelona and Real Madrid expressed their delight that the plan is back on the table.
      A22 Sports are the group behind the European Super League and their CEO Bernd Reichart promises all games will be broadcast free of charge for supporters.
      He said: “The Uefa monopoly is over. Football is free.
      “Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction and free to determine their own futures.
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      “For fans, we propose free viewing of all Super League matches.
      “For club, revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed.”
      English clubs are set to be BANNED from the ESL due to government legislation.
      This is following the fan-led review and soon to begin independent regulator that has put in place to manage the beautiful game in the UK and block sides from breaking away to other divisions.
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      Meanwhile, A22 Sports have released their potential format of the tournament that will replace the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues.
      It features 64 teams, three tiers, an end of season knockout phase, and no permanent members.
      Real Madrid have backed the idea and their club statement read: “European club football is not and will never again be a monopoly. 
      “From today the clubs will be the masters of their destiny.
      “In the face of the pressures that we have received for more than two years, law, reason and freedom prevail today. And for this reason, Real Madrid will continue working for the good of football.
      “We once again have the duty and responsibility to give European football the new impetus it so badly needs. 
      “And to achieve this, we will continue to defend a modern project, fully compatible with national competitions, open to all, based on sporting merit and that will effectively impose respect for financial fair play.”
      A Barcelona statement added: “Barcelona wishes to express its satisfaction with the sentence of the European Court of Justice assessing the Super League project.
      Read more on The Sun
      “As one of the clubs driving the Super League project, Barcelona feels that the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe.
      “Opposing the monopoly over the football world, and wishes to initiate new discussions as to the path that European competitions should take in the future.” More