The European Super League is a competition proposed for top teams in Europe. Super league originally consists of 20 teams, with 15 of them being founding members of the competition. The idea was to rival or replace the UEFA Champions league which is the current tournament for top clubs in Europe. The representatives behind the Super League are Florentino Pérez (president of Real Madrid), Andrea Agnelli (chairman of Juventus). With Joel Glazer (co-owner of Manchester United), John W. Henry (owner of Liverpool) and Stan Kroenke (owner of Arsenal) also in partnership.
However after the announcement of the league it met with wide criticism from fans, players and managers. The criticism against the announcement of the league idea resulted in nine of the clubs that were supposed to participate, including all six English clubs, announcing their intention to withdraw. However Manchester City’s super league return is possible, according to football insider.
What is the European Super League?
The league idea was also opposed by UEFA and FIFA. By 2023, Florentino Pérez and FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta remained only representatives. There was criticism regarding the lack of competitiveness of the tournament as only big clubs will be playing. The idea of promotion and relegation was not proposed which meant same teams will be playing the tournament.
Unlike Champions League where top clubs from the top five league are selected based on top four rankings. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint Germain were given offers to join the league. However all three clubs rejected offer to participate in the competition, publicly criticizing the concept. Clubs like West Ham United openly posted on their website to decline Super League and focus on grassroot levels. Before a game between Leeds United and Liverpool, Leeds players warmed up in jerseys criticizing the competition. The shirt featured the UEFA Champions League logo.
Why Manchester City super league return is possible
Manchester City will end up returning to the super league idea if their legal battle against the Premier League fails. The never ending court between Manchester City and Premier League continues. Manchester City are currently pursuing legal action against the Premier League regarding the Associated party transaction (ATP) rules. Associated Party Transactions are any deals, from sponsorships to transfers and payments to individuals such as players, managers or senior officials, which are completed between a club and an Associated Party. Manchester City feels that these rules are unfair and causing discrimination towards them. Manchester City already have 115 charges of alleged breaches of financial rules over them. However the Premier League champions are going to take the fight to the court. After the Saudi Public Investment Fund takeover of Newcastle in October 2021 it became a big moment and the guidelines were tightened.
This decision was due to concerns over the new rich owners could make lucrative, favourable commercial deals to strengthen their spending power, giving them an unfair advantage over smaller clubs. Among the 115 charges they still face for breaching Premier League regulations most of them are related to signings expensive deals with similar or related parties. Out of their biggest sponsorship deals most are with companies based in the United Arab Emirates.
According to complaint Manchester City believe that even if sponsors are linked to club owners, there should be freedom over how much they want to pay for their business. After voting from rival clubs Man City hoped to get support from clubs like Newcastle United and Chelsea due to many similarities in business. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds for Manchester City and Premier league legal battle.
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