A new version of the European Super League (ESL) is set to be established - nearly two years after the initial project collapsed within 48 hours of its launch.
The idea for the controversial competition has received a major facelift. The new proposals contain no permanent members and a multi-divisional format that will include between 60 and 80 clubs, with each team playing a minimum of 14 games per season.
The revamped ESL was unveiled to the Spanish press by A22 Sports Management - the company in charge of promoting the idea of a 'Super League'. It is still being led by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus - who are in the middle of a legal battle with UEFA.
The European Super League would be a direct rival to the Champions League (NurPhoto/PA Images)It is claimed the new proposals were formed after consultations with several clubs across Europe, who are concerned about their mounting financial problems. There is a huge financial imbalance between the Premier League and the rest of Europe's top divisions.
Many clubs have struggled since the Covid pandemic took hold in 2020. This was evident during the January transfer window, when 31 of the 35 most expensive signings were made by English clubs. None of these were made by Spanish, German or Italian clubs.
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The original ESL, which was launched in April 2021, featured 12 permanent members - including six from the Premier League. Yet the new proposals do not feature English clubs.
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Rival European divisions have struggled to bring in the same amount of revenue, most of which comes from huge global television deals. The likes of Serie A and LaLiga are also struggling to compete with UEFA's television deals for the Champions League.
It is unclear at this stage exactly how the 60 to 80 clubs will be recruited, though it appears a promotion and relegation model - similar to UEFA's format for their three competitions - would be adopted. The ESL would be viewed as a direct rival to UEFA.
The new proposals may not be as vehemently rejected as the initial idea due to the removal of a franchise-like structure. This was the biggest stumbling block with the original idea, as it eliminated the rest of Europe's football pyramid and reduced competition.
The big question is whether the ESL backers have a strong enough legal case to beat UEFA. Aleksander Ceferin's organisation are firmly against the proposals and will fight tooth and nail to stop it.
A22's chief executive Bernd Reichart, who claims "it is time for change", has promised the ESL will support the women's game, domestic competitions and the health of players - as well as introduce new rules on financial sustainability. "It is the clubs that bear the entrepreneurial risk in football," Reichart told German newspaper Welt.
"But when it comes to important decisions, they are too often forced to stand idly by from the sidelines as the sporting and financial foundations run under their hands. Our talks have also made it clear that it is often impossible for clubs to raise their voices publicly against a system that uses the threat of sanctions to prevent opposition."
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