The Story Behind the Failed Super League Project by Big Clubs in Europe, Will UEFA Take Action?
In early 2021, 12 of Europe's biggest clubs announced their decision to form a separate league outside of the existing soccer structure. However, the teams did not receive support from all six Premier League clubs which eventually culminated in more teams leaving the project.
A view of Allianz StadiumThey planned to leave UEFA, the governing body for European soccer. Except for Real Madrid, Juventus, and Barcelona, no other club participated which is why these clubs released statements to their fans explaining the failure of the project.
The idea behind the Super League was to reshape the sport in Europe and change the status quo of European football. The proposal aimed at pushing the sport to newer heights and allocating resources for the football pyramid, including the resolution of financial barriers that plague the football community after the advent of the pandemic. It also promised to offer payments to football stakeholders.
Basis of the Super League
The Super League wanted to reserve permanent spots for some of the world's biggest clubs and play matches midweek. In addition, it did not ask the participating clubs to leave their domestic competitions. FIFA, the governing body for international soccer, and UEFA did not approve of their plan. It was followed by the teams backing out in procession. Chelsea was the first club to opt-out of the deal as confirmed by CBS Sports insider James Benge. Manchester City subsequently took an exit followed by the remaining four Premier League clubs. Likewise, their plans of curating an elite and powerful association didn't pull through and the doubts surrounding the occurrence of the Champions League semifinal run in the 2021 tournament were put to rest.
How Did the Super League Come About?
The Super League is an idea proposed long back and over the years, there were different theoretical proposals for what the league should be. Along with the permanent 12 spots, the league also intended to add three more permanent members and leave five spots open in the 20-team format that European clubs could qualify for from across Europe's domestic competitions.
How is UEFA Involved?
The league still exists and has argued that UEFA and FIFA are abusing a monopolistic position in violation of competition law. However, UEFA is now allowed by the court of law to lift measures preventing them and the world football governing body FIFA from punishing clubs involved in the European Super League project. In theory, UEFA can now issue punishments to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, the three clubs that are still a part of this controversial project.
“UEFA has today received the order of the Madrid court, lifting the precautionary measures in their entirety," the governing body stated. “UEFA welcomes this decision and is considering its implications." It was further mentioned: “It has not been possible to demonstrate that the threat of sanctions to the three clubs would lead to the impossibility of carrying out the project. In 2021, UEFA threatened to ban clubs from its existing tournaments, including the Champions League. The three clubs are counting on an upcoming court verdict regarding UEFA’s control of European competitions which could revitalise the project upon it being declared an illegal monopoly.