NFL
By: Ty Reeves
It was announced today that a dozen of the top soccer teams from around Europe will come together to form a European Super League. This idea has been in the air for the last couple of years but as of today, it looks as though that thought will become reality. However, this news hasn’t gotten support from FIFA, UEFA, or fans from across the world.
The founding teams that will participate in this breakaway league are Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea from the Premier League. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Athletico Madrid from La Liga. And Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan from Serie A. The new super league will not include any teams from the Bundesliga or France Ligue 1.
The league won’t function on the current structure of European competitions. It will instead serve as an independent league and has drawn a comparison to the NBA and NFL.
Three more clubs will be joining the founding 12 clubs to create a permanent group of 15 clubs in the league. The league will also survey its options and look for qualifying routes to allow five more clubs to participate. The league would all but strip the top clubs from the Champions League and other UEFA competitions.
According to the Super League’s announcement today, the clubs in the league will split $4.2 billion for signing on to participate in the league. Each team would receive about 400 million dollars. That’s more than four times the winner of the Champions League takes home.
The formation of the league has been condemned by FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, LaLiga, the Italian Football Federation, and Lega Serie A. Many sanctions have been considered between the different football organizations to keep teams from joining the league. There have been talks of, suspensions from domestic leagues and tournaments, suspension from all UEFA competitions, and even players not being able to represent their countries during international duty.
FIFA released a statement expressing its stance on the league reported first by Fabrizio Romano.
FIFA official statement 🚨
"FIFA can only express its DISAPPROVAL to a 'closed European breakaway league' outside of the international football structures and not respecting the aforementioned principles".
So, UEFA and FIFA are both *against* the #SuperLeague.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 18, 2021
UEFA also released a statement where it was made clear how the clubs and players would suffer for participating in this league.
After the #SuperLeague statement, this is the UEFA position: "Every club and player participating in the Super League could be banned from all UEFA and FIFA competitions, European or International level". 🚨 #UEFA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 18, 2021
The league will be overseen by Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez, who will serve as the league’s Chairman. Other owners and presidents from other clubs set to serve as Vice Chairmen of the league.
Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson had some choice words on the creation of the Super League. He explained how this is a move away from 70 years of European football. He also explained how for smaller clubs this will be like climbing Mount Everest. The league only benefits the top clubs in Europe and will rarely or will not give opportunities to smaller clubs to participate.
United legend Gery Neville also explained his frustration in United’s decision to join the Super League. “I’m a Manchester United fan and have been for 40 years of my life but I’m disgusted, absolutely disgusted. I’m disgusted with Manchester United and Liverpool the most.”
Fans have already taken to social media with #SayNoToTheSuperLeague to show their disapproval of the creation of the league. Only time will tell what becomes of this.
