Football News: European Super League reveals new plans for 80-team competition

A redesigned multi-divisional European Super League with up to 80 teams would be an open tournament without any permanent members. After holding discussions with more than 50 clubs throughout Europe since October of last year, the news comes from A22.

A22 is a sports management company established to sponsor and assist in the creation of a new Super League.

The company has developed 10 principles that would serve as the foundation for the new breakaway competition. 20 teams were originally planned for the European Super League in 2021. This included 12 founding members, 3 nameless clubs, and an additional 5 teams that would qualify each year based on domestic accomplishments.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur all withdrew. The withdrawal from the breakaway league took place just after 48 hours due to strong fan criticism.

While Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus continue to advocate for the competition to proceed. The other teams including Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus withdrew as well.

A22 has now suggested a new multi-divisional structure with between 60 and 80 clubs. In which teams would play a minimum of 14 games and would need to qualify yearly depending on their domestic accomplishments.

Speaking to German newspaper Die Welt about the fresh plans, Reichart said:

"The foundations of European football are in danger of collapsing."

"It's time for a change. It is the clubs that bear the entrepreneurial risk in football. But when important decisions are at stake, they are too often forced to sit idly by on the sidelines as the sporting and financial foundations crumble around them."

"Our talks have also made it clear that clubs often find it impossible to speak out publicly against a system that uses the threat of sanctions to thwart opposition."

"Our dialogue was open, honest, constructive and resulted in clear ideas about what changes are needed and how they could be implemented. There is a lot to do and we will continue our dialogue."
According to Reichart, a minimum of 14 matches per club would offer "stability and predictability" in terms of revenue.

The 48-year-old has also discussed cost-cutting strategies and claims that clubs should limit their spending on player wages and net transfers to a predetermined portion of their annual football-related earnings.

"Club spending must be based solely on the funds generated and not on competitively distorting capital injections,"

said Reichart.

Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has subsequently harshly criticised the proposed European Super League proposals, likening them to the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

A22 has contested in court UEFA and FIFA's authority to stop the creation of the European Super League and penalise the rival clubs.

On the spring, the European Court of Justice is anticipated to render its ultimate decision in the matter.

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