The new European Super League that was forming should have researched the NCAA and the odds of unseating the governing body of a league that has a stranglehold on a major sport. What was off the top a great idea (IMO) was quickly met with aggression from FIFA and UEFA. First, from the Super League directly:
"The European Super League is convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change.
We are proposing a new European competition because the existing system does not work. Our proposal is aimed at allowing the sport to evolve while generating resources and stability for the full football pyramid, including helping to overcome the financial difficulties experienced by the entire football community as a result of the pandemic. It would also provide materially enhanced solidarity payments to all football stakeholders.
Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure put on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations as was demonstrated today by a court decision to protect the Super League from third party actions.
Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community."
So 12 major Futbol clubs around England, Spain, and Italy were ready to form a Super League, and weed out some of the issues with structure in UEFA and even FIFA, plus create an extremely competitive league amongst the elite teams around the region. Then, according to the AP (2021), "Condemnation of the 12 rebels clubs from England, Spain, and Italy even came from Prince William, who followed the British government in railing against moves to split from longstanding structures to play in a largely closed competition rather than Europe’s existing UEFA-run Champions League" (para. 2).
While the Super League was formed to compete alongside UEFA Champions League and Europa, the two organizations have taken this as a threat. And to be clear, this will also not replace major soccer leagues in the respective countries, only an alternate to UEFA Champions League and Europa. Also from the Super League officials, "We do not seek to replace the UEFA’s Champions League or the Europa League,” they said, “but to compete with and exist alongside those tournaments.”
UEFA took things a step further, threatening not only legal action but also barring teams from future participation not only in UEFA but also their home country professional leagues. FIFA also condemned the move and threatened to block participating players from representing their countries in the upcoming World Cup. Hey, it is in Qatar, maybe that is a good thing.
It seems someone has upset the apple cart of the old money, how dare anyone create new soccer leagues!! Time will tell, but it sure looks like all these threats from the establishment have killed any chance of fans enjoying elite soccer in one great league anytime soon.
Michael Patrick Day, Writer, 12oz Sports
References
Dunbar, G; Harris, R (2021). Threats of expulsion as UEFA confronts Super League rebel 12. AP. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/uefa-could-ban-super-league-players-euro-2020-world-cup-749ce4257b0f9a17b3fc34d60cccd00c
