European Super League
European Super League news: Andrea Agnelli to re-launch failed league today
The European Super League is back. Undeterred by last year’s spectacular failure to gain traction, Andrea Agnelli, president of Juventus and vice-president of the Super League, will shortly announce a renewed push to get the controversial tournament off the ground. Those behind the Super League have spent long days reassessing their initial proposal and tweaking features in a bid to make it more palatable for both fans and clubs. Perhaps the most controversial part of the initial proposal was that 15 of the 20 clubs would have fixed places in the tournament. This worried many, who felt that sporting prowess and merit were being replaced in large part by business concerns. However, in an effort to address concerns, Agnelli will now state that there will be no fixed spots in the league for s...
Premier League’s ‘Big 6’ agree punishments over European Super League fiasco
The Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ have agreed to pay a fine following the European Super League drama back in April. On April 18, it was announced that 12 of Europe’s top clubs had agreed to break away from UEFA and form a new league, known as the European Super League. Manchester United, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal all joined from England, as well as three each from Spain and Italy. The response to the announcement was intense. Players and managers spoke out against the idea, while fans protested at grounds. Some of football’s governing bodies, such as UEFA and the FA, threatened punishments for those who participated in the plan. The proposal lasted two days, before clubs buckled under the pressure. Chelsea were the first to back out, and the other five Engl...
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus facing two-year Champions League ban
UEFA have issued a warning to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus if they continue to persevere with the European Super League. Those three were part of a group of 12 clubs that broke away from UEFA and formed the European Super League last month, along with Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Arsenal. The announcement sent the world of football into a frenzy. Fans protested against the proposal, while players and pundits spoke out against the idea. Arsenal fans protest against the owners The idea collapsed two days later. Chelsea were the first team to pull out, with the other five English clubs soon following. Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Inter Milan withdrew shortly afterwards. However, Real Madrid, Ba...
Juventus could be kicked out of Serie A if they do not withdraw from European Super League
Juventus could be kicked out of Serie A if they refuse to withdraw from the European Super League, confirms Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina. Juventus were one of 12 clubs to break away from UEFA and attempt to form a new European Super League (ESL)), along with fellow Italian clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan, and three from La Liga and six from the Premier League. Many fans spoke out against the ESL The proposal was met with intense fury from the world of football. Some players and managers spoke out against the idea, while fans gathered outside grounds to protest. Two days after the announcement, it began to crumble. Chelsea were the first team to confirm their withdrawal, and the other five English clubs quickly followed. The two Milan clubs and Atletico Madrid also ...
UEFA ‘seriously considering’ switching Champions League final to Wembley
Europe’s governing body, UEFA, are reported to be ‘seriously considering’ switching the upcoming Champions League final to Wembley, the clash set to be an all-English affair. At present, the final is set to be played in Turkey’s capital Istanbul, at Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the arena having already missed out on hosting the showpiece last season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the last phase of the knockout stage having been moved to Portugal. However, despite missing out on hosting last year’s final, they could well be set to suffer the same fate this term, amid calls to move the final to England, after both Manchester City and Chelsea progressed from their semi-final encounters with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, respectively. With an all-English final on the way, it seemingly makes ...
European Super League clubs set to be given hefty fine by Premier League
The Premier League plans to punish the six clubs that attempted to break away and form a new European Super League with a substantial fine, reports the Telegraph. On April 18, it was announced that 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs had planned to break away from the Champions League and form a new European Super League. The clubs involved were Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Florentino Perez and Andrea Agnelli were at the heart of the negotiations The idea was met with widespread outrage from the footballing world. Fans gathered outside grounds to protest, while top players and pundits were critical of the idea. Some of the game’s governing bodies threatened bans for ...
FIFA supremo urges restraint in punishing Super League clubs
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is not in favour of sanctions against the 12 clubs that tried to launch a European Super League, preferring “dialogue” on football reform. The plan to create a closed competition was “unacceptable” and “unimaginable”, the world football boss told French sports daily L’Equipe in an interview published on Wednesday. “Certain actions should have consequences, and everyone must assume their responsibilities,” said Infantino, who has publically joined the opposition to the project. “But you always have to be careful when you talk about sanctions. “It’s said quickly that you have to punish. It’s even popular — or populist — sometimes. “By punishing a club, for example, you are also punishing players, coaches and fans, who have nothing to do with it.” He sa...
Adidas frustrated with Manchester United over sharp decline in shirt sales
Adidas are growing disgruntled with Manchester United after a downturn in shirt sales, according to the Daily Mail. With the deal that Man United agreed with Adidas worth in the region of £78M-a-year, as per the Daily Mail, you’d expect that it would be a relationship the club would try to keep healthy. However, the report claims that Adidas were frustrated with the Red Devils for their failure to brief them on plans for their involvement in the proposed European Super League. There is now also further discontent, with Adidas wary of Man United’s decline in shirt sales. The Daily Mail claim that shirt sales have fallen 100,000 over the last two years. It’s not exactly clear why that would be the case. You could argue it’s as a result of United’s decrease in quality on the field, or it coul...
Spotify CEO outlines plans for Arsenal takeover bid
Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek has spoken to CNBC about his plans to buy Arsenal. The North London club have been majority-owned by American billionaire Stan Kroenke since 2011. In that time, they have won four FA Cups but have struggled to compete for the Premier League or in Europe. Arsenal won last season’s FA Cup final thanks to a brace by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Kroenke has become an unpopular figure at the Emirates Stadium, with many fans believing that he has no interest in the club. Following the recent European Super League debacle, fans protested outside the ground, calling for him to sell his stake in the club. This prompted Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek to declare his interest in purchasing Kroenke’s stake. The Swede wrote on Twitter that he had been a fan of Arsenal sin...
Mikel Arteta defends Stan Kroenke following Spotify takeover rumours
Mikel Arteta has responded to speculation about a takeover at Arsenal from Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek. Arsenal’s current owners, the Kroenke family, have become unpopular figures at the Emirates Stadium over the last few years, having not invested money into the club. The recent European Super League drama only added more fuel to the fire. Arsenal fans protest against their owners In response, Gunners fans protested against the owners outside the ground during their fixture against Everton. Many are calling for the Kroenkes to sell their stake in the club. Ek recently declared his interest in purchasing the Kroenkes’ stake. Club legends Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Dennis Bergkamp have joined the takeover bid. Manager Mikel Arteta has responded to the rumours, defending the cl...
FSG rejects £3 billion offer to sell Liverpool
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group has rejected a £3bn offer from the Middle East to sell. The offer was made to FSG prior to the announcement on Sunday night that principal owner John W. Henry had been involved in talks to take Liverpool into the ill-fated European Super League, reports the Mirror. Following anger aimed at FSG in the wake of the failed Super League plot there are other potential bidders waiting in the wings to see if the stance of Henry and Liverpool chairman Tom Werner changes as a result of the enormous criticism they face. FSG took charge of Liverpool in 2010, buying the club for around £300m to end the reign of the deeply unpopular Tom Hicks and George Gillett at Anfield, the American duo having left the Reds on a financial cliff edge by the time their exit arrived....
Jordan Henderson lauds ‘power of supporters’ in statement following European Super League drama
Jordan Henderson has paid tribute to fans after the collapse of the proposed European Super League (ESL). Liverpool were one of 12 clubs that were planning to break away from UEFA and form a new competition. Joining them were three clubs from Spain and Italy, and fellow English clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea. The announcement led to mass outrage across the footballing world. Fans protested while players, managers and pundits blasted the proposal. Henderson was particularly vocal against the ESL Henderson was one of the leading men in the fight against the ESL, organising a meeting with all 20 Premier League captains. He later posted a Tweet against the proposal. The plans eventually fell through, with all six English clubs pulling out, alon...
