European Super League Mega Thread

[Trix]

Perfect news !!

On Thursday, Advocate General Athanasios Rantos held his closing arguments before the European Court of Justice (ECJ): The structure of the association was compatible with competition law. Clubs would have to choose between Super League and FIFA/UEFA competitions in the future.

This means that top clubs who want to play in a Super League outside of the existing association structure in the future would have to obtain permission in advance. And that is almost impossible.

UEFA statement following today’s Opinion of CJEU Advocate General

UEFA warmly welcomes today’s unequivocal Opinion recommending a ruling of the CJEU in support of our central mission to govern European football, protect the pyramid and develop the game across Europe.

www.uefa.com

I get the hate for the ESL in the format it was proposed previously, and completely agree the closed shop format was a complete no go, but........ Something clearly needs to change because Uefa's stance about ESL being about greed for the big clubs and how they are caring about the whole pyramid etc etc is complete bollocks. They themselves have done everything they can to pander to the big clubs and to make the game more about money than fair competition.

Group stages with seeding based on previous competitions.
A path into another competition if they fail in the CL
A bigger pool of teams allowing these big clubs to finish 4th and still qualify
Playing on multiple nights and times to allow far more TV coverage money

The list goes on and on and the reason???? More money for Uefa! They don't care about protecting the pyramid they care about protecting their own monopolised interests, and if it was in their interest to make the CL a closed shop they'd 100% do it themselves.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Excuse my thickness but how can the clubs choose when they have to obtain permission which is apparently almost impossible to get ?

As I understand it the ECJ will rule that that UEFA will be allowed to sanction any clubs or players that take part in an unauthorised competition i.e ban them. UEFA are not going to authorise the ESL but that doesn't mean the clubs involved could not breakaway from UEFA and set up a rival organisation if they wished too but then if Spurs were involved they would be barred from the PL and Kane would not be playing for England and wouldn't take any more penalties

ECJ rulings do not apply to the UK anymore but pretty sure whichever Government was in power would back any ECJ ruling with something similar in the UK.
Perez & Barca are not going to get an ESL to bolster their stretched finances.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

Excuse my thickness but how can the clubs choose when they have to obtain permission which is apparently almost impossible to get ?

You bribe the right officials.

 

[EastUpperDK82]

I get the hate for the ESL in the format it was proposed previously, and completely agree the closed shop format was a complete no go, but........ Something clearly needs to change because Uefa's stance about ESL being about greed for the big clubs and how they are caring about the whole pyramid etc etc is complete bollocks. They themselves have done everything they can to pander to the big clubs and to make the game more about money than fair competition.

Group stages with seeding based on previous competitions.
A path into another competition if they fail in the CL
A bigger pool of teams allowing these big clubs to finish 4th and still qualify
Playing on multiple nights and times to allow far more TV coverage money

The list goes on and on and the reason???? More money for Uefa! They don't care about protecting the pyramid they care about protecting their own monopolised interests, and if it was in their interest to make the CL a closed shop they'd 100% do it themselves.

I agree... same with FIFA... but I still can't cope with the idea of a closed league for all the big and rich clubs... with all the national leagues and smaller clubs out of the picture. That must never ever happen... at least you see smaller clubs in the Champions League, Europa League and so on.... although I loved the old formats more... It's a bit too much at the moment with three big UEFA club tournaments.

I hope that this threat of a Super League will make the UEFA more soft and romantic... Work closer together with fans, grassroots, national leagues and so on. Be more open.. Maybe something good will come out of it... Crazy thought... I know.

 

[EastUpperDK82]

I get the hate for the ESL in the format it was proposed previously, and completely agree the closed shop format was a complete no go, but........ Something clearly needs to change because Uefa's stance about ESL being about greed for the big clubs and how they are caring about the whole pyramid etc etc is complete bollocks. They themselves have done everything they can to pander to the big clubs and to make the game more about money than fair competition.

Group stages with seeding based on previous competitions.
A path into another competition if they fail in the CL
A bigger pool of teams allowing these big clubs to finish 4th and still qualify
Playing on multiple nights and times to allow far more TV coverage money

The list goes on and on and the reason???? More money for Uefa! They don't care about protecting the pyramid they care about protecting their own monopolised interests, and if it was in their interest to make the CL a closed shop they'd 100% do it themselves.

And the next day.... FIFA ?‍?‍??

Carragher: Like the ridiculous idea of the World Cup every two years, this is another one from Infantino. (And Wenger... !!)

"Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle. FIFA hate the Champions League & want something similar themselves. European clubs should boycott it."

Looks like FIFA counter attack the Super League and Champions League... brutal !.... poor players.

Gianni Infantino: FIFA to launch new 32-team men's Club World Cup and will 'rediscuss' 2026 World Cup group stage format

Gianni Infantino reveals new Club World Cup concept with 32 teams from 2025; FIFA president also admits 2026 World Cup group stage format to be rediscussed over 16 groups of three or 12 groups of four; FIFA also announces plans to launch new friendly World Series tournament

www.skysports.com

 

[EQP]

And the next day.... FIFA ?‍?‍??

Carragher: Like the ridiculous idea of the World Cup every two years, this is another one from Infantino. (And Wenger... !!)

"Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle. FIFA hate the Champions League & want something similar themselves. European clubs should boycott it."

Looks like FIFA counter attack the Super League and Champions League... brutal !.... poor players.

Gianni Infantino: FIFA to launch new 32-team men's Club World Cup and will 'rediscuss' 2026 World Cup group stage format

Gianni Infantino reveals new Club World Cup concept with 32 teams from 2025; FIFA president also admits 2026 World Cup group stage format to be rediscussed over 16 groups of three or 12 groups of four; FIFA also announces plans to launch new friendly World Series tournament

www.skysports.com

Send the U21 players. If FIFA want to cheapen tournaments and implement these cash-grab schemes, teams should respond in kind by sending players who need those competitive minutes and opportunities.

 

[EQP]

And the next day.... FIFA ?‍?‍??

Carragher: Like the ridiculous idea of the World Cup every two years, this is another one from Infantino. (And Wenger... !!)

"Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle. FIFA hate the Champions League & want something similar themselves. European clubs should boycott it."

Looks like FIFA counter attack the Super League and Champions League... brutal !.... poor players.

Gianni Infantino: FIFA to launch new 32-team men's Club World Cup and will 'rediscuss' 2026 World Cup group stage format

Gianni Infantino reveals new Club World Cup concept with 32 teams from 2025; FIFA president also admits 2026 World Cup group stage format to be rediscussed over 16 groups of three or 12 groups of four; FIFA also announces plans to launch new friendly World Series tournament

www.skysports.com

Honestly, if they were smart and not so money driven, they should make it a youth specific tournament, billing it as " stars of tomorrow " on the club scene playing against clubs all over the world. They'd give it a FIFA-lite treatment, gives clubs an opportunity to see other players from other leagues in a competitive setting.

 

[eddiev14]

Am I the only one who actually thinks this could be really cool. Top clubs from all over the World including the likes of Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Club America etc competing with the big European clubs in a World Cup style tournament over 4 weeks like a World Cup.

So much better than friendlies and I think FIFA are saying they’d can one of the international breaks.

 

[allatsea]

Am I the only one who actually thinks this could be really cool. Top clubs from all over the World including the likes of Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Club America etc competing with the big European clubs in a World Cup style tournament over 4 weeks like a World Cup.

So much better than friendlies and I think FIFA are saying they’d can one of the international breaks.

International breaks are a maximum of two weeks, less actually if the clubs play the weekend before the break and the weekend after the break, so where do the other two weeks come from ?

 

[Trix]

Am I the only one who actually thinks this could be really cool. Top clubs from all over the World including the likes of Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Club America etc competing with the big European clubs in a World Cup style tournament over 4 weeks like a World Cup.

So much better than friendlies and I think FIFA are saying they’d can one of the international breaks.

Think it's shit personally. Already far too many games, and I don't really want to see the biggest club in Mexico get smashed to bits by the European super clubs, who pay out more in 1 months wages than their entire team is worth.

 

[C0YS]

Group stages with seeding based on previous competitions.
A path into another competition if they fail in the CL
A bigger pool of teams allowing these big clubs to finish 4th and still qualify
Playing on multiple nights and times to allow far more TV coverage money

The list goes on and on and the reason???? More money for Uefa! They don't care about protecting the pyramid they care about protecting their own monopolised interests, and if it was in their interest to make the CL a closed shop they'd 100% do it themselves.

I think you are right that UEFAs main goal is to maintaining their interests and not the pyramid. But things like seeding etc is something that UEFA put in through negotiations with the big clubs. Namely, it's not really hypocrisy because it stems from the same actors and the same issue as the super league, the big clubs feel entitled to a bigger piece of the pie while UEFA placates them. The main thing uefa want is more matches and more opportunities to generate profits, as you say about the TV money.

 

[C0YS]

Think it's shit personally. Already far too many games, and I don't really want to see the biggest club in Mexico get smashed to bits by the European super clubs, who pay out more in 1 months wages than their entire team is worth.

I mean they wouldn't get smashed to bits all that regularly, they don't in the current format so would be odd for them to suffer from a new one (also mexican team wage budgets are comparable to many European teams, quality wise Belgium league is a good comparison). So it would be nice in the sense that people would realise that leagues outside Europe are much more competitive than some seem to think, though they are significantly worse. But I do agree that it just doesn't fit in the calender, there is no space for it and no one's asking for it.

Also it would just directly compete with the champions League, as I am championing the ability for non European leagues to be competitive they will still find it hard to get deep into the tournament. I'm not against vamping the club world cup a little, or having more intercontinental games. Its interesting competition. But a major expansion seems too much.

 

[Johno1470]

Think it's shit personally. Already far too many games, and I don't really want to see the biggest club in Mexico get smashed to bits by the European super clubs, who pay out more in 1 months wages than their entire team is worth.

I get what you’re saying but that argument could be said exactly about the FA, English league cup etc.

 

[Trix]

I get what you’re saying but that argument could be said exactly about the FA, English league cup etc.

Nope, the FA cup is draw dependant yes it might put some non league side against Man City, but it might also see them play against another non league side. This will be a competition with drawn groups which are seeded to purposely favour the financial giants. It's not remotely comparable imo.

 

[Trix]

I mean they wouldn't get smashed to bits all that regularly, they don't in the current format so would be odd for them to suffer from a new one (also mexican team wage budgets are comparable to many European teams, quality wise Belgium league is a good comparison). So it would be nice in the sense that people would realise that leagues outside Europe are much more competitive than some seem to think, though they are significantly worse. But I do agree that it just doesn't fit in the calender, there is no space for it and no one's asking for it.

Also it would just directly compete with the champions League, as I am championing the ability for non European leagues to be competitive they will still find it hard to get deep into the tournament. I'm not against vamping the club world cup a little, or having more intercontinental games. Its interesting competition. But a major expansion seems too much.

There's just far too much change for the sake of change, oh and of course money. You say you would like to see the world cup revamped, why? What was wrong with it the way it was?

Say what you like about the Champions League but it's not a patch on the old European cup imo. You know when you had to be champions to qualify. It really did make it a best of the best tournament.

 

[archiewasking]

There's just far too much change for the sake of change, oh and of course money. You say you would like to see the world cup revamped, why? What was wrong with it the way it was?

Say what you like about the Champions League but it's not a patch on the old European cup imo. You know when you had to be champions to qualify. It really did make it a best of the best tournament.

Agree totally about the European Cup vs the Champions League. The only drawback is we'd never qualify for it!

Also miss the Cup Winners Cup, would be nice to have 2 spots for the FA Cup winners and League Cup Winners in that competition.

 

[Trix]

Agree totally about the European Cup vs the Champions League. The only drawback is we'd never qualify for it!

Also miss the Cup Winners Cup, would be nice to have 2 spots for the FA Cup winners and League Cup Winners in that competition.

You're right we probably wouldn't but then then the uefa cup once held real value for the winners. Unlike the Europa which is seen as nothing more than a distraction to most teams until they get to the last 16, and don't get me started about the conference league rubbish.

 

[razor1981]

 

[wrd]

I think what is said in those documents is correct, unfortunately the approach the super league made was to be an even bigger monopoly and managed to make uefa look good by comparison. This however is an important ruling for anybody who wishes to do the right thing imo.

 

[spursfan77]

That’s good news isn’t it? Means no fine for us.