Super League organizers present revised plan for 80-team competition

GENEVA (AP) – Organizers of the Super League project on Thursday unveiled a long-promised new proposal for a multi-divisional competition involving up to 80 European football teams and operating outside of UEFA’s jurisdiction.

Spain-based A22 Sports Management laid out 10 principles for the project and said it had spoken to “nearly 50 European clubs” about the revived proposal. It is unclear whether clubs have publicly supported it.

The document follows an initial legal setback for A22 in December at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg in a challenge to alleged monopoly control by UEFA, the governing body of European football. At the time, Advocate General Athanasios Rantos suggested that the court recognize UEFA’s authority over European football competitions.

An official decision from the court is expected before the end of the season.

“Our goal is to present a sustainable sport project for European club competitions, available at least to all 27 EU member states, as soon as possible after receiving the verdict,” A22 said on Thursday.

The document details an idea first developed by A22 executives in 2021 that their next proposal would be a more inclusive multi-stage competition involving more countries.

“Participation should be based on annual sporting merit and there should be no permanent members,” A22 said.

Twelve clubs from Spain, Italy and England launched the original breakaway plan in April 2021. This project envisaged a league with 20 teams and 15 founders protected from relegation. It was backed by JP Morgan Chase Bank, which later apologized for a “misjudgment.”

The project collapsed within two days amid a backlash from UEFA, fans and lawmakers, who threatened legislation in England to counter it. Only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus publicly supported the case in court in Luxembourg.

It’s still believed English clubs won’t join a revived breakaway plan. The Premier League’s international appeal and financial strength has only grown over the past two years.

The rift between England and the rest, marked by Premier League dominance in the January transfer window and record losses by Barcelona and Juventus last year, could convince team officials across Europe to find alternative ways to compete.

For a split from UEFA to be successful, it will likely need support from clubs in smaller leagues such as the Netherlands, Portugal and Scotland.

“Participating clubs should continue to be fully committed to national tournaments,” said A22, “as they are doing today.”

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