Super League chief says 20 clubs are keen but Premier League keeps distance

23 January 2024 , 10:00

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The six Premier League clubs involved in the initial breakaway have distanced themselves from the current proposals. (Image: PA)

Twenty clubs have already signalled their desire to join a European Super League, according to the company attempting to get the controversial breakaway competition off the ground.

A22 management’s co-founder Anas Laghrari said they have spoken with 50 clubs across the continent since a court ruling last month said UEFA had broken European competition law.

And in an interview with Ouest-France, Laghrari claimed 20 of those clubs are “very, very motivated” to sign up.

But it will not include any Premier League sides after the six clubs who were part of the ill-fated attempt to launch a breakaway competition in 2021, only to do a U-turn under fan pressure, swiftly distanced themselves from the new plans.

"I don't want to say their names because I don't want to expose them,” Laghrari said. “Since December 21, we have spoken with around 50 different clubs. About 20 of them are very, very motivated by the project. We already have enough clubs to start a competition.

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'We are very busy talking to different clubs, fan associations, players and people who are involved in football on a day-to-day basis.

“They all call us to better understand this project because, since it is possible and legal to propose an alternative, the actors want to work. We can work together to improve football."

On the same day of the European Court of Justice ruling, A22 launched their new plans. They are proposing a three-division competition involving 64 teams with promotion and relegation and stress it will not be a closed shop.

They also vow to stream every game on an in-house platform called Unify, which is expected to cost about €10 (£8.50) a month and work similarly to the NBA league pass or MLB TV platform in the United States.

And Laghrari said that in comparison to current TV subscription costs in some countries, Unify would be practically “free”.

He added: “Why pay 40, 50, 60 or 170 euros per month, like in Spain, to be able to watch football when you can do it for free? I have heard a lot that we are going to have one game per day that will be free or that it will be free for three months and then we will have to pay. No. All the games will be free and it will be that way forever.

“Gmail is free, WhatsApp is free, Instagram is free - and yet they generate a lot of money per user.”

Alan Smith