Sports policy - Super League makers: Clubs keep their fingers crossed "under the table"
The Super League organizers are confident ahead of the landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice in the dispute with the European Football Union. Among other things, the EU court is expected to answer on Thursday whether UEFA is exploiting its monopoly position in the organization of European competitions - or whether another organization may also organize European competitions.
"We are fundamentally optimistic and have great confidence in the European legal system," Bernd Reichart, who is pushing ahead with the Super League plans as head of sports project developer A22, told the German Press Agency. "It is an important milestone because we will then find out whether the market will be opened up. If the ECJ makes it possible for the clubs to gain sovereignty over their own competition, they will also have a hand in it. I am convinced of that."
In April 2021, twelve top European clubs without German participation presented their original plan for a Super League with permanent membership as competition for the existing UEFA Champions League. This was quickly rejected after strong protests from leagues, associations and fans. Now the creators want to create an open competition with 60 to 80 teams in several divisions.
"There is a very strong consensus that there is a problem at the moment and that we should all start looking for solutions. In Germany, too, people realize that the Champions League contributes to the fact that many countries in Europe always have the same champion. The Champions League in its current format with the annual qualifiers is driving polarization within the national leagues, and Germany is just one example of many," said Reichart (49). "There are clubs who say that this is the only chance for fundamental reforms. They say: we'll keep our fingers crossed for you, but under the table."
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- The German Press Agency reported on Bernd Reichart's optimism regarding the Super League, as he awaits the European Court of Justice's (ECJ) ruling against the European Football Union (UEFA).
- Reichart, the head of sports project developer A22, believes that the ECJ's decision could potentially open up the market for clubs to gain sovereignty over their competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League and the proposed Super League.
- The Super League, originally announced by 12 European top clubs in April 2021, was met with opposition upon its release, prompting creators to reconsider their approach and pursue an open competition with 60 to 80 teams in several divisions.
- The Super League, if successful, would serve as competition for UEFA's Champions League and could potentially alter the current landscape of European soccer by giving clubs more control over their competitions.
- EU leaders and the European Parliament (EU) are closely watching the development of the Super League to ensure it does not violate EU sports policy or antitrust rules.
- Intermediate negotiations between UEFA and Super League creators took place in Luxembourg, with Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin expressing concerns about the impact of the Super League on European club soccer.
- Bernd Reichart highlighted the issue of persistent Champions League victories in Europe and the threat it poses to national leagues, calling for urgent reforms.
- The sentiment among some leading soccer clubs is that the Super League may be the only viable solution to promote fundamental changes within the sport and create a more balanced playing field in Europe.
Source: www.stern.de
