European Super League organisers propose new 80-team format | OneFootball

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Football Today

·9 February 2023

European Super League organisers propose new 80-team format

Article image:European Super League organisers propose new 80-team format

The organisers of the European Super League have revealed new plans for an 80-team league.

The world of football was rocked by the announcement of a new European Super League in April 2021.


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Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan had all signed up to be permanent members of the league, which was intended to replace the Champions League.

The news was met with widespread disapproval. Players and pundits spoke out against it, and Europe’s top leagues threatened the breakaway clubs.

Article image:European Super League organisers propose new 80-team format

After two days of strong protests from fans, the plan fell through. However, there have been plenty of whispers about the European Super League making a return.

The new plans have now been announced. The Athletic reports that the organisers have proposed a completely revamped European Super League.

According to the report, there will be no permanent members. This was one of the most heavily scrutinised points of the original plans, as it was seen as a threat to the competitive integrity of sport.

Instead, it would follow a multi-divisional format, comprised of between 60 to 80 teams. Each team would play a minimum of 14 games per season.

Bernd Reichart, the chief executive of the company behind the plans, has emphasised the need for a European Super League. He claims that the current system is unsustainable and that change is required.

Speaking to German outlet Die Welt (via The Athletic), 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.

Article image:European Super League organisers propose new 80-team format

“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.”

Back in November, UEFA reaffirmed their opposition to a new European Super League, labelling it greedy. La Liga president Javier Tebas has also come out against the idea.

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