The Format Proposed
There were supposed to be 20 teams in the ESL system, split into two groups of ten. Each team would play the other teams in their group both at home and away. The top three teams in each group would easily move on to the quarterfinals. The fourth and fifth-placed teams would then play a playoff to see who would get the last two spots in the quarterfinals. The knockout rounds would be played in a standard two-legged fashion, with a single final match to decide the winner.
Why the first European Super League didn't work
As soon as the ESL was announced in April 2021, it was met with strong opposition. The main reasons it didn't work were:
- Fan Outrage: Football fans all over Europe saw the ESL as a clear attempt by rich club owners to put money ahead of the sport's traditions and the fair competition of games. In many places, protests broke out, and fans demanded that their teams leave the league.
- Lack of Competitive Merit: Adding 15 permanent members went against the idea of sporting merit that European football is based on. Some people were against it because they thought it would make the competition too closed, which would lower the value of domestic leagues and make it harder for smaller clubs to fight at the highest level.
- Opposition from Governing bodies: UEFA, FIFA, and national football associations all spoke out strongly against the ESL. UEFA said that clubs that took part could be banned from all other events, even local leagues. FIFA said that players could be banned from international tournaments like the World Cup.
- Club Reversals: Because of huge pressure from fans, players, and other interested parties, some founder clubs, like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Atlético Madrid, quickly pulled out of the project, causing it to end.
What it means for football clubs all over Europe
The ESL would have had a huge effect on football teams all over Europe if it had gone ahead:
- Financial Inequalities: The ESL would have probably made the gap in finances between big clubs and small ones even bigger by putting most of the money and resources on a few teams.
- Domestic Leagues: Due to ESL clubs possibly using weaker teams in local games so they can focus on the more lucrative ESL games, domestic leagues would have lost value.
- Player Movement: The way transfers work may have changed, with ESL teams having more money to buy top players, making local leagues less competitive.
The response from UEFA and FIFA
The responses from UEFA and FIFA to the ESL were clear and harsh. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin called the plan a "disgraceful, self-serving plan" that was driven by greed. In response to the ESL clubs' concerns, UEFA quickly offered changes to the Champions League. At the same time, FIFA stated its dedication to the fair play of sports and the importance of competition based on merit.
How football fans reacted
Most of the fans' reactions to the ESL were negative. Fans from clubs all over Europe joined forces to protest, planning marches and campaigns to show how angry they were. The quick and well-organised fan protest was key in getting several clubs to change their minds about participating, which ultimately ended the project.
What is the European Super League going to do next?
Even after the first defeat, people are still talking about the ESL. Some club owners and executives are still positive about the idea's ability to make money, and they are still looking for ways to change European football. Nevertheless, any future efforts to bring the ESL back to life will have to answer the main concerns and objections that the original idea sparked.
"The Unify League" is the new name for the Super League.
As of December 2024, the proposed Super League's owners, A22 Sports Management, have changed the league's name and made changes to their plan based on comments from stakeholders involved in football. As part of the new structure:
- Unify leagues - 96 clubs from 55 domestic leagues with four tiered leagues '"Star, Gold, Blue and Union"
- Eligibility: A club's ability to play will be based on how well it does in its own local league each year.
- Unify platform—A "Unify platform" where fans can watch affordable and free matches from both men's and women's competitions.
- Better Governance—Clubs can run and improve their leagues with cross-border club governance.
- Solidarity Payments: Each year, money is sent to grassroots teams to show their support.
The new format answers questions about how to get fans involved, how a variety of teams can be involved based on sporting merit, and the new league will work with the current domestic leagues and UEFA. We still don't know if they go far enough to convince people who have a stake in football.
Summary
The European Super League was a risky and controversial idea that caused a lot of debate and criticism in the football world. Even though it didn't happen, the worries it raised about the way European football is financed and run are still true. The ESL's success will depend on how well its supporters can address the concerns of fans, clubs, and governing bodies while also making the sport more profitable and competitive.
