The European Super League (ESL) seems to be real. Twelve of Europes biggest clubs have conspired and now set in motion a breakaway league. Here is a quick primer of what we know about the ESL so far:
What is the European Super League (ESL)?
A statement from the European Super League said: “Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have today come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new mid-week competition, the Super League, governed by its Founding Clubs.”
“It is anticipated that a further three clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable.”
The league will be governed by its founding clubs who are: AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.
Why would these clubs want to break away?
Well, the reason Europe’s elite clubs want to break away from their respective domestic leagues is because of one reason and one only.
Here is a clue: the word starts with the letter ‘M’ and rhymes with money.
M.O.N.E.Y!!!!!
The pandemic has hit Europes biggest clubs in the pocket. They feel this is a way to recoup the money lost and also make a lot more of it in the future.
Barcelona are over €1 Billion in debt and Real Madrid’s debt is around €700 million. Initial reports say clubs in the ESL will make around €300 million per season.
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What has the reaction by football’s governing bodies been?
FIFA, UEFA and other football governing have condemned the breakaway movement.
FIFA said: “As previously announced by FIFA and the six Federations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.”
Premier League also came out with a statement which read: “The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.
“A European Super League (ESL) will undermine the appeal of the whole game, and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs, and all those in football who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.”
What has the reaction by supporters been?
Some supporters expressed their excitement on seeing their club play the best teams in Europe week-in, week-out. But the majority of the response has been negative. A common consensus amongst supporters on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube is the ESL will kill football and this is nothing but a money grab by greedy owners.
Where are we now?
The Super League clubs have sent a letter to FIFA president Gianno Infantino and UEFA counterpart Aleksander Ceferin stating the ESL has already been underwritten by funding of £3.5 billion from a financial institution. Investment bank JP Morgan have said it is financing the new breakaway competition.
It seems as though the 12 clubs are dead serious. Even after the backlash of the past 24 hours, all 12 “founding clubs” of the European Super League have quit their committee positions with UEFA and the ECA (European Club Association).
This is a major risk these clubs are taking. What if the league gets stale after a few years, the ESL collapses, where will the clubs stand after being booted out of their respective domestic leagues? Bayern Munich has been tentative whilst Borussia Dortmund and PSG have announced that they are not interested in joining the ESL.
It seems as of right now it’s a game of chicken and who will have the leverage when all parties involved meet at the negotiating table.