FOUR divisions for the new 96-club European Super League would be inspired by the EU flag — Star, Gold, Blue and Union.
Promoter A22 Sports unveiled its “Unify League” format yesterday and said it had written to FIFA and Uefa seeking official support.
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Footie fans have slammed a plot to revive the hated European Super League, ahead of protesters outside Stamford Bridge in 2021 Credit: Getty
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The four divisions would be inspired by the EU flag – star, gold, blue and UnionCredit: Alamy
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Madrid’s A22 support Real Madrid, its boss Florentio Perez and Barcelona, above Jude Bellingham during a UEFA Champions League matchCredit: Getty
The company’s previous plan for a closed 20-team league was scrapped in April 2021 amid fan backlash – as reported by The Sun.
But A22 bosses believe Uefa must back its proposal following a December 2023 European Court of Justice ruling that previous tactics used to block the Super League were in breach of EU law.
A22 spokesperson confirmed last night: “The names of the leagues are named after the EU flag/CoE flag.
“The Unify proposal is in line with the principles of the European Union and its laws.
“It is open to all clubs from 55 countries.”
Teams would earn a spot based on merit and would not be guaranteed entry.
Games would be streamed for free on the Unify platform directly to fans, and viewers would likely pay a subscription fee to play ad-free.
But one fan exploded: “They used the EU decision as justification and now it seems the flag has inspired the leagues. It stinks.”
A senior UEFA official called the plan “bullshit” and a “Christmas pantomime”.
Tim Payton, of the Arsenal Supporters’ Foundation, added: “We condemn these proposals in their entirety and are opposed to any breakaway or super leagues.”
Fans ask ‘how did Henry spot that?’ while they were left stunned by the Arsenal icon’s analysis of the Man Utd star’s goal against Man City
He called on the football regulatory body currently being set up by the British government to block the proposal.
The top Unify League Star division would include 16 clubs in two groups of eight.
Second division gold would be the same.
The remaining 64 teams would be in the Blue and Union divisions.
Each of them would be divided into four groups of eight.
The women’s competition would also run at the same time.
Madrid’s A22 has the support of Real Madrid, its boss Florentino Perez and Barcelona.
A22 CEO Bernd Reichart said the Unify League aims to address challenges such as increased TV subscription costs, an overloaded calendar, underinvestment in women’s football and dissatisfaction with the format and management of current competitions.
We condemn these proposals in the strongest possible terms and are opposed to any form of secession or super leagues
Tim Payton, from the Arsenal Supporters Foundation
He cited a 2023 ECJ ruling that said “any competition in which the qualifications are inclusive and meritocratic, and which is consistent with the overall fixture calendar, may be officially established”.
Mr Reichart said A22 had consulted with clubs, leagues and other groups.
But Arsenal fan Mr. Payton, said: “I don’t believe they’ve had meaningful discussions with fan groups.
“We have been pushing Arsenal in our meetings with them since the Super League — and they always tell us they are committed to the existing structures and competitive balance.
“We call on the club to condemn and ignore such moves.
“It is a separation and it is being proposed by people outside the structure of the FA, the Premier League and UEFA.
WORSHIPING FAT CATS
Will Barker, Sun journalist and Villa fan
JUST when you thought greedy clubs had learned their lesson from the latest Super League chaos, along comes another crazy idea.
And this time, the EU rolled out the red carpet for the fat cat clubs to extract even more money from the fans.
My team, Villa, has been fighting since the very beginning of the Champions League to hear the famous anthem at Villa Park.
Now the previous memories of 1982, when we won the European Cup, have faded.
But now we were able to experience first-hand what a great competition it is, and not jealously watch our rivals in the Premier League from afar.
Incredibly, Villa have had a great run in the tournament so far — even beating giants Bayern Munich, leading to some of the craziest Midlands celebrations I’ve seen in years.
Football is the fans.
It’s not about the rich owners and it’s certainly not about the politicians in Brussels, who need to take their hands off our great game.
“They present it as something more competitive, but it’s still separation and it’s being propagated by Real Madrid and Barcelona.”
Manchester United fan and football writer Andy Mitten added: “I don’t think this is a visitor and it seems like he is being pushed by Real Madrid.
“I’m not in favor.”
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Europe’s first Super League plan has guaranteed entry to 12 rebel clubs including the Prem Big Six, above Liverpool star Mohamed SalahCredit: Getty
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Manchester City ace Phil Foden struggles in the UEFA Champions League Credit: Getty
Spurs fan Doug Sanders wrote online: “Simply no!
“It is clear that player injuries are on the rise due to the fixture list, so there is almost no time off during the year.
“This is solely about making money for A22.
“I imagine this would be broadcast on some other obscure channel that fans would need a separate contract for.”
One fan said: “Perez doesn’t take no for an answer does he?”
Another added: “No one wants this.
“Stop that nonsense now.”
Nobody wants this. Stop this nonsense now
One fan
And a third wrote: “A huge waste of everyone’s time.
“As useless as the new Club World Cup.
“Stop trying to please faceless clubs.
“Fans want competitive local football.”
The new format could include up to ten Premier League teams compared to four in this year’s Champions League, two in the Europa League and one in the Conference League.
The Premier League would have three teams in Star, two in Gold and up to five further teams in the remaining divisions.
The first Super League plan guaranteed entry to 12 rebel clubs including Prem’s Big Six — Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Man Utd.
All positions in the Unify League would be earned by home performances in the previous season.
A22 predicts 14 league matches to be played between September and April.
The top four in each group would then advance to a two-legged quarter-final, with the winners advancing to the “final four” week of one-off matches that decide the competition.
This means that footballers, who are already complaining of exhaustion, would be faced with playing even more games.
No official launch date has been set, but it is understood that A22 is hoping for a September 2026 launch.
The prize fund is yet to be confirmed, but A22 is promising £330m in “solidarity” payments to smaller clubs and countries.
The total is expected to exceed the current £2bn fund for the Champions League and £700m for the Europa League and Conference Leagues combined.
Measures to block clubs from joining any breakaway competition are included in the government’s Independent Football Regulator, which is currently going through parliament and is backed by all the main parties.
But the new competition aims to replace Uefa and be club-led – as happened when the Premier League was founded more than 30 years ago.
The Premier League, UEFA and British teams did not comment.
But clubs are likely to be mindful of reactions from angry fans.
In 2021, thousands flocked to protests at Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd.
They released smoke bombs, called on club owners who supported the plans to leave and branded the proposed format “Super Greedy”.
Lots to like… but will the fans back it up?
Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter
The BIGGEST problem with the first version of Super League was that it was grossly unfair.
Football has always been about what you earn on the field — and to offer Prem’s Big Six a lifetime seat in a breakaway elite would destroy the fabric of the game.
While many fans reacted angrily to the latest proposals unveiled by Madrid-based A22, his new plans tick a number of boxes.
Qualifying on merit rather than what the club did ten, 15 or 20 years ago is a step in the right direction.
Such as extra “big” matches, playing all the teams in the mini-league, home and away — it is difficult to follow the Champions League table of 36 clubs.
Then the knockout at the end of the season with real tension, especially with the last week in four styles, semi-finals and finals.
But it seems unlikely that the new streaming platform, which offers both “free” ad-supported games and a seamless subscription service, can really make the billions needed to run four competitions each season.
A potential launch in the fall of 2026 means major hurdles will have to be cleared quickly — and that includes winning over fans whose determination destroyed the first edition of the Super League in 48 hours in 2021.
In the end it will come down to the clubs.
If they feel their bread is buttered the way they like it, then so be it – and if that means ditching the Carabao Cup, so be it.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education