Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-02 11:23:49
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently announced that a European Super League project could potentially kick off as early as next season, expressing his indifference towards English clubs joining the league. This comes after Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, along with several other top European clubs, initiated a Super League project in 2021, only to see it collapse in the face of backlash from fans and football institutions, ultimately resulting in the withdrawal of the other participating clubs. In December, the European Union’s Court of Justice determined that FIFA and UEFA had violated competition law by obstructing the breakaway league. Subsequently, A22 Sports Management, the promoters of the Super League, revealed their plans for a new 64-team tournament that would rival or potentially replace UEFA’s Champions League.
Addressing the potential start of the Super League, Laporta mentioned that it could commence as early as the upcoming season, or by 2025-26 at the latest. He also indicated that if this timeline is not achievable, he would reassess the entire situation. Despite initial interest from six Premier League clubs, who later backed out and have shown no inclination to rejoin, Laporta emphasized that he has no concern about English teams joining, as they already have their domestic league, the Premier League.
Laporta also proposed that the Super League might initially begin with just 16 teams, drawing a parallel to the humble beginnings of the European Cup in 1955, which eventually evolved into the continent’s premier club competition. He further suggested potential participants from Italy such as Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma, and Napoli, and from Portugal including Porto, Sporting Lisbon, and Benfica. Additionally, he named Dutch teams like Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven, French club Marseille, and Belgian outfits Club Brugge and Anderlecht as likely candidates. Notably, Laporta emphasized that Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, who have voiced opposition to the Super League, would not be part of the project.
The emergence of the European Super League has raised debates about its potential financial benefits for participating clubs, especially those struggling with overspending. Laporta highlighted that the Super League could offer significant financial incentives to its members, as just competing in the competition alone would guarantee a substantial financial reward of at least 100 million euros ($109 million), a figure that exceeds the prize for winning the Champions League.
In summary, Laporta’s recent statements reflect the ongoing efforts to revive the European Super League, signaling the possibility of its launch in the near future. The potential involvement of select top European clubs and the financial incentives offered by the Super League project underpin the discussions surrounding its development.
