New Super League format revealed as Real Madrid and Barcelona back plan Liverpool won't

Proposals for a new European Super League have been unveiled just hours after the European Court of Justice ruled that both UEFA and FIFA had acted unlawfully in punishing those who tried to breakaway to form a competition in April 2021.

A binding decision that cannot be appealed was handed down by the ECJ on Thursday morning that ruled both governing bodies could not block the creation of challenger competitions or have a monopoly on commercial rights, although the judgement that arrived stated that it was not a decision that should be construed as being in support of the idea of the ESL.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Internazionale, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona all signed up in clandestine fashion to the ESL back in 2021, but in a dramatic 48 hours all but three had gone cold on the idea in the face of a fierce backlash from fans, leagues, governing bodies and politicians. Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona remained wedded to the idea and made a legal challenge, with a new company, A22, created to drive forward a new competition structure.

Juventus decided to extricate themselves from proceedings earlier this year, leaving just the two major Spanish clubs, and the ECJ verdict has been heralded as a victory for those two clubs and A22, who swiftly made their plans known for a new competition.

A new European Super League format would include 64 clubs across three leagues: Star, Gold and Blue. The Star and Gold Leagues would have 16 clubs each, while the Blue League has 32 clubs. All clubs will play in groups of eight – home and away – resulting in a guaranteed minimum of 14 matches per year.

At the end of the season a knockout stage of eight clubs would be played in each league to determine the league champions, with an annual promotion and relegation taking place between the three leagues, with entry to the Blue league determined by domestic performance.

There would be no increase in matchday calendar days ‘beyond those contemplated by existing cross-border competitions’.

Liverpool’s stance on the ESL has remained since the decision to step back from the plans in 2021, with the club stating that its involvement had been “discontinued.”

"We are absolutely committed to following that through and there should be no ambiguity to suggest otherwise,” a statement sent to the ECHO read.

A Barcelona statement read: “FC Barcelona wishes to express its satisfaction with the sentence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) assessing the Super League project as proposed by A22 Sports.

“As one of the clubs driving the Super League project, FC Barcelona feels that the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe by 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.

“Since it was founded in 1899, FC Barcelona has always been a pioneering club in the world of sport, leading the drive towards more professionalised structures both on a domestic and international scale, with regard to both men’s and women’s competitions, in a variety of sports and from different social concerns.

“Hence, as it has been maintaining in recent years, the club feels that the medium-term sustainability of European football entails the need to create a concept along the lines of the Super League proposed by A22. A system of competition that will address such issues as fixture overload and the excessive number of games between national teams, that will work towards regulation of financial fair play among participating teams, and that will put local and international players and supporters at the centre.”

Real Madrid's outspoken president, Florentino Perez, a staunch advocate of the ESL, was equally pleased.

"Allow me to tell the European clubs that we are at the beginning of a new time in which we can work freely through constructive dialogue, without threats, without acting against anything or anyone and with the aim of innovating and modernising football to continue fuelling the passion of the fans," he said in a statement.

"From today, the present and future of European football are finally in the hands of the clubs, the players and their fans. Our destiny belongs to us and we have a great responsibility before us. This day will mark a before and after. It is a great day for the history of football and for the history of sports."

But while A22, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been celebrating what they perceive as a victory, getting such a competition off the ground won’t be easy, nor will everyone be on board.

For a start, with the an independent regulator to arrive into English football soon, and with some clubs such as Liverpool having changed their articles of association to require them to seek approval from newly created supporters boards, there won’t be Premier League involvement in such a competition any time soon, at least it is highly unlikely given the sentiment the last time it was attempted.

A statement from the UK government department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport read: “We note the decision by the European Court of Justice’s judgement in regard to the European Super League.

“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 an independent regulator in English football.

“We will shortly be bringing forward legislation which makes this a reality, and will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.”

Across Europe, both the European Clubs Association (ECA), which represents more than 500 professional clubs across the continent, as well as the recently created Union of European Clubs (UEC), have both released statements rejecting the ESL idea and A22 proposals and standing alongside UEFA.

An ECA statement read: “European Club Association (ECA), representing nearly 500 professional football clubs across Europe, takes note of the judgment issued by the European Court of Justice today.

“To be absolutely clear, the judgement in no way whatsoever supports or endorses any form of Super League project."

“Since the legal case was brought two years ago, major progressive governance reforms have already been put in place across the ecosystem of football in Europe and worldwide, including new UEFA rules for competition pre-authorisation; and in particular, reforms under ECA’s Memorandum of Understanding and Joint Venture with UEFA, and FIFA (signed in September and March this year). Through ECA, clubs today are already at the heart of decision-making in relation to the competitions they participate in.

“In short, the world of football moved on from the Super League years ago and progressive reforms will continue."

“Most importantly, football is a social contract not a legal contract – all the recognised stakeholders of European and world football - spanning confederations, federations, clubs, leagues, players and fans - stand more united than ever against the attempts by a few individuals pursuing personal agendas to undermine the very foundations and basic principles of European football.

“ECA will continue to work with UEFA, FIFA and all recognised stakeholders of football to develop the game positively and progressively – founded on the principles of sporting meritocracy, inclusiveness, open competition and genuine solidarity. These principles are at the heart of ECA, and at the core of the European sports model, on which all levels of the pyramid benefit and prosper.”

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