European Super League: Everything You Need To Know

For some time, many believed the idea of a European Super League had expired. Yet, here we are, not long before UEFA announce a new format for the Champions League, with clubs set to form the dreaded, money-led division. Football is nothing without fans, they say. Well, by contrast, as we are quickly finding out, the fans are not the kings of football- they have been dethroned.
Instead, those with the highest bids have taken to the throne. There is no doubt that the format would take away the pure principles that make football such a spectacle- from underdog victories to the rarity of giants clashing.

When two European giants collide, it is a special occasion- almost like the Christmas of football, but you can’t have Christmas every day. As the updates roll in, here’s everything you need to know so far.

Reports from the websites of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have all signed up for the European Super League, with Manchester City yet to join.
It is believed that John Henry, owner of Liverpool, Joel Glazer, owner of Manchester United and Stan Kroenke, owner of Arsenal, will become vice-chairman.
Reports suggest that alongside those clubs will be AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan. Sergio Perez of Real Madrid would have the chairman’s role. As for Bundesliga and Ligue 1 clubs, they are yet to be included.

According to The Times, each team will be offered £310 million to join. Once again, cash is king. Money talks- it overpowers the fans.

The Premier League has since released a statement regarding the European Super League, 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.
“Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best. We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream.
“A European Super League 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.”

UEFA, too, are doing everything in their power to prevent the forming of a European Super League, even threatening to ban those involved from the Champions League and other competitions.
They stated: “As previously announced by FIFA & the 6 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.”
The fans do not want the division to be formed. UEFA, FIFA, and all of the domestic leagues do not want it. The only people that are interested in the concept are the ones who will grow larger pockets as a result of it. And that is not the beautiful game we all love.

If the last year is anything to go by, football is a game for the people. Empty stadiums have created an atmosphere some may believe is only fit for a funeral. VAR is already sucking enough joy out of the game as it is. Why take the fundamentals away completely?

Football was started with 22 players kicking a ball around a pitch. No money, no alternative incentive. It was created by the people, for the people. Now, it is quickly being stripped away from those who matter most: The fans.
If a European Super League is formed, the pockets of the owners may grow, but the enjoyment and, therefore, interest in the game will lessen further and further. The very reason why many love the game is because it is so unpredictable.
Fans live for Leicester City, the underdogs, winning titles, the potential of West Ham playing at the Bernabeu next season. It is the magic of football. Take that magic away. Take that spectacle away. And what are we left with?
A game owned by the rich, controlled by the rich whilst the poor watch on thinking what used to be. It must be prevented at all costs.

Source: lastwordonsports.com