The European Super League - The Maker or Breaker of Modern Day Football

To say that the 'Super League' has been met with mixed reactions would be an understatement. Millions of football fans, pundits, players, and former managers have voiced their joint "disgust" toward the creation of the new breakaway league that aims to create another opportunity for big-name clubs to clash on a more regular basis. On paper, who wouldn't want to see Liverpool vs Barcelona or Manchester City vs Juventus on a weekly basis? Unfortunately, the idea has been utterly torched just because a couple of old school football pundits say it's wrong. So, just before you jump up on the hate bandwagon, let's set a few things straight. 

The European Super League already has the signatures of 12 top football clubs which include Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. The basic concept is that these clubs will break away from UEFA competitions ONLY and set up a new year-long tournament starting in August and ending in May. The 12 currently signed teams would be joined by an additional 8 who would qualify based upon their performances in their respective domestic leagues. In terms of money, each team will be granted between £89 - £319 million for their participation in the Super League in order to cover losses caused by Covid-19 with additional funds being granted for good performances. Just to reiterate - the teams who compete in the European Super League will only not compete in UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League. They will still compete in their domestic leagues and local cups. 

That's the upside. Big league clubs going face to face - week in, week out. So, what's the catch? 

In the eyes of many, the formation of the Super League represents the end of football. I agree it's pretty dramatic, but they may have a point. With UEFA, the FA, and FIFA all opposed to the Super League's creation, the clubs involved have already been threatened with heavy bans that could see them being removed from every current competition including domestic leagues, the Champions League, the Europa League and the World Cup. This would result in Super League teams playing one home game a week and gives fans even less of a chance to see their local team in action. This is the crime that has most people upset and shouting down the nearest microphone. The sport who's rooting trickles down to the favelas of Rio and the local parks of South London has been taken over by rich billion tycoons who couldn't care less about the average football fan - unless they can make them some money of course. 

However, the real problem behind this new Frankenstein creation is the timing. With the Premier and Champions League in full swing and cup finals just around the corner, to say the announcement of the Super League is a little ill-timed is again, a bit of an understatement. This has led us to a reality in which PSG could be crowned Champions League Champions without even having to play in a semi-final. Not only would this mean a rather anticlimactic finish to what has been a great season of Champions League football, but it would also leave a bitter taste in the mouth of nearly every football fan around the globe, regardless of if your a big club supporter or not. 

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's not like this can be all undone. Contracts have already been signed, sanctions are well on their way to being given out, and PSG's name is probably being engraved into the Champions League trophy as we speak. The rich have truly taken over and they're intending to give it up. The Super League represents the biggest money-making opportunity that football has seen in a long time and with Covid-19 seizing most of the income that big clubs regularly make, you can't really blame them for taking a hand out. 

Right now, it's a trend to hate on the Super League. Everyone hates it because it's something new. I can't count the number of times I've heard the phrase "football ain't broke, so why are they trying to fix it?". However, what people may not realise is that amongst all the current controversy, there is a glimmer of hope. Every young kid wants to grow up and play for the biggest sides in club football on the biggest possible stage. Not only does the Super League grant players and fans that opportunity, but it provides it on a weekly basis, and if managed correctly, it could give every avid fan an equal chance at seeing their overseas hero appear regularly at their local Super League stadium. 

Yes, it's poorly timed. Yes, it destroys the Champions League - a 66-year-old tournament, worth billions of dollars. But who's to say that it isn't time for a change? 

In 1899, Charles Holland Duell, the Commissioner of the US Patent Office, famously said "Everything that needs to be invented, already has been". Just 4 years later, the Wright brothers invented the aeroplane and the rest is history. I know, it's a bit over the top, but who's to say in four years time, the Super League may just provide the best level of football the world has ever seen? It's a long shot, but if done correctly, it could change football forever. 

The Super League - roarnews.co.uk