New European Super League includes 64 teams and 'Star, Gold and Blue' divisions
The founders of a new European Super League plot have released a fresh plan for a 64-team tournament following their landmark win against UEFA at the European Court of Justice.
The competition was given hope of returning on Thursday morning after it was ruled that a ban on breakaway leagues goes against European Union law. The EU Court of Justice have confirmed: "The FIFA and UEFA rules making any interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful."
In the face of that decision, organisers of the revamped European Super League, A22 Sports, have released an array of fresh proposals that are drastically different from the original plan that was controversially announced in 2021.
It has been confirmed that the European Super League would consist of 64 teams split into three tiers - Star, Gold and Blue Leagues. A statement confirmed that "participation would be based on sporting merit with no permanent members."
There would be yearly promotion and relegation between the leagues, with promotion into the third tier Blue league being based on domestic league performances. At the end of each campaign, a knockout stage would be used to decide champions and those eligible for promotion.
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To decide who will compete in the initial year of the competition, clubs will be selected on "an index of transparent, performances-based criteria". The first two leagues - the Star and Gold Leagues - would consist of 16 clubs, while the Blue would have 32 clubs.
UEFA have already responded to the European Court of Justice's ruling (Getty Images)What are your thoughts on the European Super League? Share your response in the comments below
The fresh proposals do not end there. CEO of A22 Sports Bernd Reichard has confirmed his intention to broadcast matches free of charge on a streaming platform called Unify.
Speaking after Thursday's ruling, he said: "We have won the right to compete. The UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures. For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches. For clubs: Revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed."
As it stands, there are only a few clubs still involved in the plans for the European Super League. Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have both penned statements following the recent ruling.
Barcelona have expressed their “satisfaction” at the decision, while Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has labelled the ruling “a great day for the history of football and for the history of sport."
While both Barcelona and Real Madrid have hailed the decision, there have been an array of clubs condemning the fresh plans. Some of their La Liga rivals have taken to social media slamming the plans alongside the hashtag #EarnItOnThePitch.
There is also pushback from elsewhere in Europe. The Athletic report that German clubs will not be joining the European Super League for "socio-political reasons". They claim English clubs will also not return to talks due to "legal and economic reasons".
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez continues to give his backing to the European Super League (Getty Images)UEFA have also given their response to the latest ruling. In a statement, they said: “UEFA takes note of the judgement delivered today by the ECJ in the European Super League case.
“This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called ‘super league’; it rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA's pre-authorisation framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022. UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, and specifically that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.
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“UEFA remains resolute in its commitment to uphold the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the broader interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sports model collectively with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners alike.
“We trust that the solidarity-based European football pyramid that the fans and all stakeholders have declared as their irreplaceable model will be safeguarded against the threat of breakaways by European and national laws.”
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