Manchester United back away from European Super League proposals
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United have distanced themselves from proposals for a European Super League.
This comes after governing bodies FIFA and UEFA threw a spanner in the works last week. Their stance against the plan effectively makes it unsustainable.
The breakaway super league has been called out as something that would deeply damage the fabric of the game by a source close to the Premier League. It is fair to say that while it has pulling potential, such a move would alienate a lot of people.
The plan, which came to light last week promised an astounding £310m joining fee plus the chance to earn £213m a season playing in the league. European giants Real Madrid, Juventus, and the former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu are the ones driving the deal.
United is just one of the English teams invited. The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur have also been invited to join.
While both FIFA and UEFA’s stance makes it harder for the league to be formed, the English clubs have been kept in the loop regarding developments.
A better alternative?
In the coming weeks, UEFA will unveil their plans to reform the Champions League from 2024. We could potentially be looking at a European Super League in all but one where teams will have to earn their spot rather than be nominated for it.
The proposal will see a 36-team league take shape in place of the Champions League group stages as we see today. This will see each team play ten games before the top 12 teams progress to the last 16.
The remaining four slots for the latter stages will be decided through a play-off tournament, probably involving eight teams. It presents a more competitive field in comparison to the breakaway Super League.
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The league appears to be a lucrative haven for the top sides rather than a rolling league comprised of the best teams of the season. The proposed 15-team closed-shop league has only five qualifying spots.
While the prospect of watching the top teams on a regular basis is enticing, it is something that will wear off quickly. The fact that these top sides do not often meet adds to the anticipation and excitement when such a draw occurs.
In all honestly, watching the same top teams meet on a regular affair will eventually turn drab. Too much of a good thing is also bad and United are right to back down.
