In breaking news, European football has been rocked by the revelations that a number of clubs, including Arsenal have either signed an agreement or expressed interest in joining a breakaway league that would effectively be a direct competitor for the UEFA Champions League.
Whilst it is not the first time rumours have emerged that the top clubs were looking at potentially breaking away, the timing of this news is different than previously and the letter of intent would change everything. The New York Times was one of the first to report on the story .
Super League Teams
The potential Super League would be structured in a way of 20 teams, 15 would be permanent and cannot be relegated. The teams would be from Premier Leagues Premier League (six clubs), La Liga (three), Italy’s Snalerie A (three), Bundesliga (two) and Ligue 1 (France). The five other teams would rotate in and out based on performance.
Teams including Arsenal that have expressed interest are as following: Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Spanish clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have also committed or endorsed to the league, as well as Italian titans Juventus, A.C. Milan and Inter Milan. Arsenal and Premier League ticket website Seat Compare have the widest range of tickets available for all clubs involved including Bayern Munich and PSG which don’t appear to be involved.
UEFA will aim to block super league plans
One key reason this has come as a shock is that UEFA will announce changes to the Champions League on Monday in terms of the structure. The group stage is set to increase the number teams and extra spots for historical performances of clubs. At present, there are 32 teams in the competition with this expected to rise to 36 with each club playing 10 games instead of 6.
Another difference will be that the bigger teams will receive a larger percentage of the prize money, this is not expected until 202.
UEFA released a statement Sunday morning reiterating the stance of itself and the English Football Association, Royal Spanish Football Federation (RSFF), Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, FIFA and the member associations.
We will consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening. Football is based on open competitions and sporting merit; it cannot be any other way.
As previously announced by FIFA and the six Federations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.
We thank those clubs in other countries, especially the French and German clubs, who have refused to sign up to this. We call on all lovers of football, supporters and politicians, to join us in fighting against such a project if it were to be announced. This persistent self-interest of a few has been going on for too long. Enough is enough.
What are your thoughts on this breaking story? SkySports Pundit Gary Neville is stating that teams, including Arsenal are relegated immediately if they have signed a letter of intent, extreme or justified?
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