A proposal for the European Super League has been published, featuring three divisions with promotions and relegations, midweek matches and free to watch games as they aim to create the most exciting competition in world football.
A22 Sports Management, the company behind this new European Super League, unveiled their new format proposal for European club competitions in men's and women's football on Thursday after the European Court of Justice ruled in favour of the project.
It is "committed" to bringing solutions to the most pressing issues facing football today. So what are they proposing?
At the heart of their so-called vision, there will be 64 men’s and 32 women’s teams playing midweek in a league system across Europe with "competitive drama and decisive matches throughout the entire football season," their official website says.
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This vision is based on "extensive consultation with a wide range of football stakeholders across Europe" and has been built on their core principles which include:
- Participation based on sporting merit.
- No permanent members.
- Participating clubs stay in their domestic leagues which remain the foundation of European football.
The company adds: "Now that clubs can determine their own future at European level, we look forward to further engagement with a broad set of football stakeholders to achieve the objective of all great sporting competitions: to create a forum where the best compete with the best, allowing top athletes to reach their full potential."
The men’s proposal includes 64 clubs across three leagues: Star, Gold and Blue.
According to A22, the Star and Gold Leagues have 16 clubs each, while the Blue League has 32 clubs. "All clubs will play in groups of 8 – home and away – resulting in a guaranteed minimum of 14 matches per year," the website states.
It also expands on the above points with the following:
- At the end of the season, a knockout stage of 8 clubs will be played in each league to determine the league champions.
- There will be annual promotion and relegation between the three leagues, with promotion into the Blue League based upon domestic league performance.
- There will be no increase in match calendar days beyond those contemplated by existing cross-border competitions.
- Matches will be played midweek and will not interfere with the match calendar of domestic leagues.
The women’s game, meanwhile, will commence with Star and Gold Leagues of 16 clubs each.
- Just as in the men’s competition, clubs will play in groups of 8 – home and away – with a guaranteed minimum of 14 matches per year.
- At the end of the season, a knockout stage of 8 clubs will be played in each league to determine the league champions.
- There will be annual promotion and relegation between the two leagues with promotion into the Gold League based upon domestic league performance.
- Matches will be played midweek and will not interfere with the match calendar of domestic leagues.
Bernd Reichart, the CEO of A22 Sports Management, highlighted the importance of such a competition.
"Our aim is clear: to work with clubs and other stakeholders to create the best competition - one loved by fans in Europe and around the world," he said.
"At the same time, we must create a more sustainable football ecosystem, including both the men’s and women’s game, to unleash the full potential of European club football."
In regards to A22 Sports Management, the company states that it is "committed" to bringing solutions to the most pressing issues facing football today.
They believe improvements are needed to make top flight football more accessible to all fans.
They also want to address financial instability at club level and increase investment into the women’s game, as well as improve the competitiveness of domestic leagues.
Topics: European Super League, Champions League, UEFA, FIFA
Jack Kenmare