The Fall of the European Super League

The Fall of The European Super League

by Will Olszewski

As quick as it came, it went. The European Super League was an idea that became a reality in little time. However, the same can be said for the fall of the Super League. It was an idea originating from Florentino Perez, the President of the world-famous Real Madrid soccer team. He proposed that all the top teams in Europe join the league and play against each other. From this, he was named the chairman of the Super League. However, not everyone was in favor of the creation of the league. Many expressed much disgust, even the players of the teams themselves. 

Many athletes in the sport of soccer or European football have expressed their disagreement with the creation of the league. Ander Herrera, a midfielder for the soccer team Paris Saint-Germain “condemned the plans and claims rich owners are stealing from the people's sport.” He and many others have expressed that their love for the game and the aspect that drives that love would become obsolete. The accumulation of wealth by team owners has led to an initiative to increase said wealth at the expense of the fans, players, and the sport of soccer itself. There is no doubt that the creation of the Super League left many people disappointed and aggravated leading to an uproar.

Were the players themselves most upset about the Super League and its creation, or were there other voices speaking up? Where did the majority of the noise come from? The fans actually played a vital role in the cancellation of the Super League. Through postings on social media and outcries for the Super League to be put to an end, the public was heard. The movement to make the Super League a reality ultimately became a movement to make the Super League a thing of the past. The teams originally comprising the Super League were as follows: Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid. Nine of these teams have since backed out while reaching an agreement with the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations). The remaining three teams, Juventus, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are under investigation. According to Managingmadrid.com, “In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics, and Disciplinary Inspectors have been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework by Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, and Juventus FC in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project.” The nine clubs that had left the Super League were able to avoid punishment after reaching an agreement with UEFA. The agreement states that if any club were to re-join a similar idea or concept as that of the Super League, then they would have to pay a 100 million euro fine. Additionally, the clubs agreed to take a five percent loss in revenue in EUFA related competitions. 

There is no doubt that the European Super League was a failure in the eyes of the soccer world. With the outcome the Super League experienced, it’s very unlikely that another idea will come along any time soon.