GENEVA: Organizers of the Super League project presented a long-promised new proposal Thursday for a multi-division competition involving up to 80 European soccer teams and operating outside of UEFA’s authority.
Setting out 10 principles for the project, Spain-based A22 Sports Management said it had talked to “nearly 50 European clubs” about the revived proposal. It is unclear if any clubs have publicly supported it.
The document follows an initial legal setback for A22 in December at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg in a challenge to what it claims is monopoly control by UEFA, the governing body of European soccer. Advocate General Athanasios Rantos proposed then that the court recognize UEFA’s authority over European soccer competitions.
An official ruling from the court is expected before the end of the season.
“Our objective is to present a sustainable sporting project for European club competitions, available to, at a minimum, all 27 EU member states, as soon as possible after receipt of the judgment,” A22 said Thursday.
The document provides detail on an idea first conceived by A22 leaders in 2021 that their next proposal would be a more inclusive multi-tier competition involving more countries.
“Participation should be based on annual sporting merit and there should be no permanent members,” A22 said.
Twelve clubs from Spain, Italy and England launched the original breakaway plan in April 2021. That project called for a 20-team league with 15 founders protected from relegation. It was backed by J.P. Morgan Chase bank, which later apologized for a “misjudgment.”
The project collapsed within two days amid a fierce backlash from UEFA, fans and lawmakers, who in England threatened legislation to counter it. Only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus publicly backed the case at court in Luxembourg.
English clubs are still thought to be unlikely to join a revived breakaway plan. The Premier League’s international appeal and financial power has only grown in the past two years.
The gap between England and the rest — typified by the Premier League’s domination of the January transfer window and record losses posted last year by Barcelona and Juventus — could persuade team officials across Europe to find alternative ways to compete.
For any breakaway from UEFA to succeed, it would likely need support from clubs in smaller leagues like the Netherlands, Portugal and Scotland.
“Participating clubs should remain fully committed to domestic tournaments,” A22 said, “as they do today.”
Super League organizers set out 80-team competition idea
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Super League organizers set out 80-team competition idea
- Setting out 10 principles for the project, Spain-based A22 Sports Management said it had talked to “nearly 50 European clubs” about the revived proposal
- It is unclear if any clubs have publicly supported it
Manchester United stun leaders Arsenal to open up Premier League title race
- United’s win, their first in the league at Arsenal since 2017, lifted them to fourth
LONDON: Manchester United loosened Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title race with a 3-2 win in north London on Sunday thanks to stunning second-half goals by Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha.
Victory would have restored Arsenal’s seven-point lead over chasers Manchester City and Aston Villa, both of whom won this weekend, but Mikel Arteta’s side instead left the door open as they lost at home for the first time this season.
United’s win, their first in the league at Arsenal since 2017, lifted them to fourth, and while they are not in the title equation themselves, it fueled the new-found optimism sweeping the club since Michael Carrick stepped in as interim coach.
Everything was going to plan for Arsenal when they took the lead in the 29th minute with a Lisandro Martinez own goal.
But a terrible mistake by Martin Zubimendi in the 37th minute gifted United an equalizer for Bryan Mbeumo.
Dorgu then smashed a ferocious shot in off the crossbar to put United ahead in the 50th minute but substitute Mikel Merino prodded the hosts level in the 84th.
United were not finished though and substitute Cunha was allowed to advance toward Arsenal’s goal before curling a low shot past the dive of David Raya from 25 meters to spark wild celebrations among the visiting fans.
Arsenal, who are now winless in three league games after two 0-0 draws, have 50 points from 23 games with City and Villa on 46. United moved fourth with 38 points.
United’s win followed their 2-0 defeat of Manchester City last weekend in Carrick’s first game of his second spell as the club’s interim manager.
The nerves are clearly starting to show at Arsenal as they seek their first title since 2004.
Even after Martinez got his legs in a tangle and deflected Martin Odegaard’s shot past his own keeper, Arsenal never looked completely at ease and slowly lost control of the game.
The omens still looked bad for United at that stage with Arsenal having won their last 15 Premier League games in which they had taken the lead.
But when William Saliba passed to Zubimendi who in turn gifted the ball straight to Mbeumo to score in style, the visitors suddenly sensed an opportunity.
Things took a dark turn for Arsenal five minutes after the interval. Again their defense was found wanting as Dorgu was allowed to control a bouncing ball before thumping a left-foot volley in off the crossbar past a stunned Raya.
Arteta reacted by making four substitutions, sending on Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Ben White while Noni Madueke also joined the fray later from a stacked bench.
There was huge relief when United failed to deal with a corner and Merino prodded in from close range — the ball being adjudged to have crossed the line after a brief delay.
It looked as though Arsenal had got out of jail and might even snatch a win but United’s belief was unwavering as Cunha delivered a gift to City and Villa.
