FOUR divisions for a new European Super League with 96 clubs would be inspired by the EU flag: Star, Gold, Blue and Union.
Promoter A22 Sports yesterday unveiled its format for a 'Unify League' and said it had written to FIFA and UEFA seeking official approval.
The company's previous plan for a 20-team closed league failed in April 2021, amid a backlash from fans – as reported by The Sun.
But A22 bosses believe UEFA must approve its proposal following a ruling by the European Court of Justice in December 2023 that previous tactics used to block a Super League were in breach of EU law.
A spokesperson for A22 confirmed last night: “The names of the competitions are named after the EU/Council of Europe flag.
“The Unify proposal is in line with the principles of the European Union and in accordance with its laws.
“It is open to all clubs from the 55 countries.”
Teams would earn a spot based on merit and not be guaranteed entry.
Games would stream for free on a direct-to-fan Unify platform, with viewers likely paying a subscription to go ad-free.
But one fan shouted: “They used an EU ruling as justification, and now the flag seems to have inspired the competitions. It stinks.”
A senior UEFA figure called the plan “bulls***t” and “a Christmas pantomime”.
Tim Payton of the Arsenal Supporters Trust added: “We strongly condemn these proposals and are against any breakaway or super-league.”
He urged the football regulator currently being set up by the British government to block the proposal.
Top Unify League division Star would involve sixteen clubs in two groups of eight.
Gold in the second division would be the same.
The remaining 64 teams would be in the Blue and Union divisions.
Each of these would be split into four groups of eight.
There would be a women's competition running alongside.
Madrid-based A22 is backed by Real Madrid, its boss Florentino Perez and Barcelona.
A22 CEO Bernd Reichart said the Unify League aims to address challenges such as higher TV subscription costs, an overloaded calendar, insufficient investment in women's football and dissatisfaction with the format and governance of current leagues.
He cited the 2023 ruling of the European Court of Justice, which states that “any competition where qualification is inclusive and meritocratic, and which complies with the general competition calendar, may be officially established”.
Mr Reichart said A22 had consulted with clubs, leagues and other groups.
But Arsenal fan Payton said: 'I don't think they've had any meaningful discussions with supporter groups.
“We have put pressure on Arsenal in our meetings with them since the Super League – and they always tell us they are committed to the existing structures and competitive balance.
“We urge the club to condemn and ignore these types of actions.
“It is a breakaway and is being proposed by people outside the FA, Premier League and UEFA structure.
“They call it a bit more competitive, but it is still a breakout and promoted by Real Madrid and Barcelona.”
Manchester United fan and football writer Andy Mitten added: “I don't think this is a goer and it seems to be being pushed by Real Madrid.
“I'm not in favor.”
Spurs fan Doug Sanders wrote online: “Just no!
“It is clear that player injuries are increasing due to fixture schedules, which leave little time off during the year.
“This is solely about making money for A22.
“I imagine this would air on some other obscure channel that would require fans to have a separate contract.”
One supporter said: “Perez doesn't take no for an answer, does he?”
Another added: “No one wants this.
“Stop this nonsense now.”
And a third wrote: “Huge waste of everyone's time.
“As useless as the new Club World Cup.
“Stop pleasing faceless clubs.
“Fans want competitive local football.”
The new format could involve up to ten Premier League teams, compared to four in this year's Champions League, two in the Europa League and one in the Conference League.
The Premier League would have three teams in Star, two in Gold and up to five other teams in the remaining divisions.
The first Super League plan guaranteed entry to twelve rebel clubs, including the Prem's Big Six: Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Man Utd.
All positions in the Unify League would be earned through domestic performance in the previous season.
A22 anticipates that fourteen matches will be played in the competition phase between September and April.
The top four from each group would then reach a two-legged quarter-final, with the winners advancing to a “final four” week of one-off matches to decide the competition.
It means that football players, who are already complaining of burnout, will have to play even more matches.
No formal launch date has been set, but it is believed A22 hopes to launch in September 2026.
Prize money is yet to be confirmed, but A22 is promising £330 million in “solidarity payments” to smaller clubs and countries.
The total pot is expected to exceed the current fund of £2 billion for the Champions League and £700 million for the Europa and Conference League combined.
Measures to prevent clubs from entering breakaway competitions are included in the government's independent football regulator, which is currently going through parliament and is backed by all the major parties.
But the new league seeks to replace UEFA and be governed by the clubs, as happened when the Premier League was founded more than three decades ago.
The Premier League, UEFA and United Kingdom teams have not commented.
But clubs are likely to take angry reactions from fans into account.
In 2021, thousands of people flocked to demonstrations at Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd.
They let loose smoke bombs, calling out club owners who had supported their plans and calling the proposed format the “Super Greed”.
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