The controversial New Offside Rule That Has Been Agreed with FIFA and UEFA

What is the offside rule?

Essentially, the offside rule dictates that, if they are in the opponent's half, an attacking player must have two players from the other team between them and the goal line they are attacking when a pass is played or a teammate touches the ball. What that means is, an attacking player is in an offside position if any part of their body,

excluding their arms (up to the bottom of their armpit), is in the opposition half and nearer to the opposition goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. It's beyond this point that things start to get a little confusing.

Being in an offside position itself is not an offence. A player can only be penalised if they're in an offside position when a teammate passes or touches the ball and they become involved in active play. The most obvious way they can be involved in active play is by receiving the ball after a pass, shot or touch from a teammate - even if that is after the ball has come back off the post or been blocked or saved by an opponent.

What often causes debate is they can also be involved in active play if they're deemed to have interfered with an opponent by:

• Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision (think of a striker standing in front of a goalkeeper)
• Challenging an opponent for the ball
• Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent
• Making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

How is offside being applied in 2023/24?

Having been the source of much confusion and debate, changes were made to the offside law ahead of the 2023/24 campaign to clarify what constitutes a defender deliberately playing the ball. According to the IFAB laws, it is "when a player has control of the ball with the possibility of passing the ball to a team-mate,

gaining possession of the ball; or clearing the ball (eg by kicking or heading it)" - even if their attempt to pass, control or clear the ball is unsuccessful. The other key change to the offside rule and the way it is implemented in recent years has been the introduction of VAR. As VAR allows officials to more accurately determine offside after play has happened, the assistants are now encouraged not to raise their flags until a move has been completed. That means fewer attacks are wrongfully stopped but more goals are, rightfully, ruled out, which can be unpopular with fans. Semi-automated offside is used in FIFA and UEFA competitions but not yet in the Premier League. In the English top flight, the VAR makes offside calls manually, but you wonder whether that could change given recent controversies.

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The Difference Between Clubs Owned by Associations and Private Owners

Introduction

Football clubs have evolved from being just a source of entertainment to becoming an attractive investment opportunity for individuals and businesses alike. The global football market is worth billions, making it a lucrative option for investors. However, owning a football club can be a complicated process due to a number of factors involved. There are numerous stakeholders, such as players, coaches, fans, and sponsors, all of whom have differing interests. Managing resources, such as player transfers, salaries, and stadium maintenance,

is also complex. Additionally, unforeseen events such as injuries, bad form, and bad luck can have a significant impact on a club's success. This complexity gives rise to a variety of ethical issues that must be considered. Finally, unlike many other businesses, a football club’s final output, i.e. the game of football, is the lifeblood of millions of fans worldwide, which adds further complexities to club ownership.

In recent years, several prominent European football clubs have witnessed changes in ownership. These new owners have diverse motivations, with some utilizing the clubs as diplomatic tools, others aiming to tap into the untapped revenue potential of football, and some taking advantage of financially burdened clubs amidst the pandemic. The allure is understandable considering the Premier League, Europe's wealthiest domestic competition, generates only marginally more revenue than the NHL ice hockey league. While the attempted creation of a European Super League similar to the NFL was unsuccessful, the desire for a lucrative, stable income stream persists.

The spending spree shows no signs of abating. Manchester United is currently contemplating offers from local billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, a Qatari group benefiting from the country's vast natural gas exports, and various US hedge funds and asset managers. However, investment fund-owned clubs have struggled to achieve consistent success in the Champions League. Real Madrid, under the helm of Spanish billionaire Florentino Perez,

has emerged as the most victorious team since 2013. Interestingly, Real Madrid remains a club owned by its members, rather than any wealthy individual or group of investors. The upcoming prestigious final match presents Manchester City, a club owned by a sovereign-backed firm, with another opportunity to claim Europe's top prize. This comes just two seasons after losing to Chelsea, which was owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich at the time. The clash in Istanbul will witness Manchester City facing Inter Milan, a club owned by a Chinese retail conglomerate that has borrowed heavily from a US asset management firm.

As the football ownership landscape continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly apparent that financial backing alone does not guarantee success on the field. It remains to be seen how these ownership changes will shape the future of European football and its pursuit of both profit and glory.

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Academy Football in Europe and How it Works

Academy football in Europe refers to the youth development systems and structures implemented by professional football clubs to identify, develop, and nurture young footballers. These systems are designed to identify and cultivate talented young players, with the ultimate goal of integrating them into the club's first team and potentially developing them into world-class players.

The concept of academy football in Europe is deeply rooted in the history of football, dating back to the early 20th century. Initially, clubs focused on developing players through apprenticeships and youth teams, but over time, the emphasis shifted towards more formalized and structured systems. Today, most top-tier clubs in Europe have comprehensive youth academies that cater to players from various age groups, typically ranging from U-9 to U-23.

A. The primary objectives of academy football in Europe are:

1. Talent Identification: To identify and recruit talented young players from various sources, including local youth clubs, schools, and national teams.

2. Player Development: To provide a structured environment that fosters the growth and development of young players, focusing on technical, tactical, physical, and mental aspects of the game.

3. Integration: To integrate young players into the club's first team, either through loan deals or direct promotions, allowing them to gain valuable experience and contribute to the team's success.

B. To achieve these objectives, European clubs employ a range of strategies, including:

1. Youth Teams: Clubs maintain multiple youth teams, each catering to a specific age group, to provide a structured environment for young players to develop.

2. Coaching and Training: Clubs invest heavily in coaching and training infrastructure, employing experienced coaches and trainers to work with young players.

3.  Scouting: Clubs maintain extensive scouting networks to identify talented young players from local and international sources.

4.  Academy Facilities: Clubs invest in state-of-the-art facilities, including training grounds, medical centers, and residential accommodations, to provide young players with the best possible environment for development.

5.  Player Placement: Clubs strategically place young players in various teams and leagues to gain experience, build confidence, and develop their skills.

The success of academy football in Europe is evident in the numerous world-class players produced by these systems. Many top clubs have developed and integrated young players into their first teams, contributing to their success in domestic and international competitions.

C. Some notable examples of successful academy football systems in Europe include:

1.  Barcelona's La Masia: Known for its emphasis on technical development and producing world-class players like Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta.

2.  Manchester United's Academy: Has produced numerous world-class players, including Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Wayne Rooney.

3.  Ajax's Youth Academy: Has a long history of developing talented young players, including Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, and Wesley Sneijder.

Scouting Players

Academy football in Europe is a highly competitive and structured system that focuses on developing young players from a young age. The process involves scouting, training, and networking to identify and nurture talent, ultimately preparing them for professional careers. Here's an overview of how it works:

Scouting Players

Scouting is a crucial part of the academy football system in Europe. Scouts and coaches identify promising young players through various means, including:

1.  Local Leagues and Youth Academies: Scouts attend matches and training sessions to assess players' skills and potential.

2.  International Competitions: Scouts watch players in international tournaments and competitions to identify hidden gems.

3.  Recommendations: Coaches and scouts may receive recommendations from other coaches, scouts, or agents about promising young players.

Initial Evaluation

Once a player is identified, an initial evaluation is conducted to assess their skills and potential. This includes:

1. Watching Matches and Training Sessions: Scouts and coaches observe players in action to evaluate their technical abilities, tactical awareness, and physical attributes.

2. Interviews: Coaches and scouts may conduct interviews with players, coaches, and family members to gain a deeper understanding of the player's background, motivation, and character.

In-Depth Analysis

For players who pass the initial evaluation, a more in-depth analysis is conducted to gather detailed information about their abilities and potential. This includes:

1.  Match Footage Analysis: Scouts study match footage to analyze a player's performance, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

2.Performance Statistics: Scouts track performance statistics, such as goals scored, assists, and other relevant metrics, to gain a comprehensive understanding of a player's abilities.

3. Coaching and Team Feedback: Coaches and scouts gather feedback from coaches and teammates to gain insights into a player's work rate, communication skills, and overall team dynamics.

Creating Scouting Reports

Based on the collected data and insights, comprehensive scouting reports are created. These reports serve as a repository of information that coaches and decision-makers can refer to when making recruitment decisions.

Agent Networking

Networking and Agent Roles

Networking plays a vital role in the academy football system. Agents, in particular, have become increasingly important in facilitating the transfer of players between clubs. Agents often have extensive networks of contacts within the football industry, allowing them to identify and negotiate deals for their clients.

Key Takeaways

Scouting is an Ongoing Process: Scouting is not a one-time event; it's an ongoing process that demands patience and precision.

1.   Comprehensive Evaluation: Scouts and coaches conduct thorough evaluations of players, considering technical abilities, tactical awareness, physical attributes, and psychological factors.

2.   Networking is Crucial: Agents and scouts rely on their networks to identify and negotiate deals for players, making networking a vital component of the academy football system.

The academy football system in Europe involves a meticulous process of scouting, evaluating, and nurturing young players. Scouts and coaches identify promising talent through various means, conduct in-depth analyses, and create comprehensive scouting reports. Networking and agent roles are also crucial in facilitating the transfer of players between clubs.

Where Kylian Mbappe Should Go?

Rumours with several big clubs in Europe

 Paris Saint-Germain's rising star Kylian Mbappé has said he will decide on his future before the European Championships this summer. The France international has created one of the most talked-about transfer stories of all time, as Real Madrid and Arsenal continue to be linked with his club. The 25-year-old's contract with the Ligue 1 club expires in the summer and he can leave on a free transfer. Mbappe reflected on his successful years at Parisen after completing a high-profile move from AS Monaco in 2017. With his move to the Parc des Princes, PSG have won the race to sign one of Europe's most sought-after talents. Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are said to be interested in signing the striker. His future now appears to lie elsewhere, with speculation mounting about a possible move to Madrid. Prior to his last record signing with the club, he was said to be close to agreeing a contract with Florentino Perez's side, but ended up being forced to extend his stay in the French capital.

Rumour has it that the Santiago Bernabéu will be Mbappé's new home next season, as Carlo Ancelotti forms a new Galacticos team and has Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo at his disposal. It seems that it is. However, it has not been made clear what his next move will be, but Mbappe has revealed that he intends to make a decision before this summer's European Championships. “People will know my future before the Euro 2024. I'm very calm about it,” he told Telefoot. "My future is no longer a big issue at the club. No one talks to me about it anymore."

Salary, image rights, and other deal

Kylian Mbappe has signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, claims a report in the Mirror. Mbappe has reportedly announced that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, with Real strongly linked with the soon to be free agent. Manchester City are also said to be interested, but reports now claim that Mbappe has finally decided his future lies in Spain. The outlet writes: “Kylian Mbappe has reportedly put pen to paper on a mega-money five-year deal with Real Madrid after confirming he will leave Paris Saint-Germain. “According to Spanish outlet Marca, Mbappe has already signed his contract with Real. His deal will run until the summer of 2029. It is suggested that they are willing to make him their highest-paid player. “His deal - apparently worth between £12 million and £17m - while still eye-watering is a decrease on the huge £22m he earns annually in the French capital. However, he is still set to earn a huge £85.5m signing-on fee.”

The salary table

After adjusting some concepts, the French striker will arrive as the highest paid player in the squad according to his unofficial status as the best player in the world, but with a salary not too far from the highest paid players in the squad, who are Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and David Alaba. Sources close to the negotiation place it in a growing escalation that covers a range between 15 and 20 million net per year plus bonus for objectives during the five years that the contract will last, following the contractual relationship modality that Real Madrid usually offers its players in recent times, but this extreme could not be confirmed by MARCA. In the agreement reached in 2022 between the two parties, which was only pending the player's signature, the player's salary was an average of 26 million net. During the last two seasons at PSG after his renewal Mbappe has been paid 32 million net (72 gross).

To that amount must be added the signing bonus that the player receives for arriving free of contract, by way of compensation for not having to pay a transfer fee. At this point it should be recalled that during the last week of August 2021, when he had one season left on his contract, Real Madrid offered PSG a first offer of 160 million and a few days later a second offer of 180 million. In the firm agreement between Mbappe and Real Madrid for 2022 they agreed on a transfer bonus of 130 million, which has also been slightly reduced. So that for all concepts, and once prorated the amount of this signing bonus, the remuneration of the French star would not reach 50 million net. A figure that is half of what he has received at PSG this season: 212 million gross adding salary (72), renewal bonus (60) and loyalty bonus (80).

Image and sponsorships 

In Mbappe's entourage, they have ended up accepting this reduction in the economic conditions because they were aware that only in this way could the striker's dream of playing for Real Madrid be fulfilled. And the player was determined to prioritize this time the sporting part ahead of the salary section. But they also took into account the recent phenomenon of Jude Bellingham and the increase in his value as a world-class footballer during the eight months he has been wearing the white shirt. The more prestige and image, the more sponsorship deals. No one better than Delphine Verheyden, his lawyer specializing in matters related to image rights that all members of the Mbappe clan attach so much importance to, to gauge the boost that this could mean for her client.

If Kylian is already considered the best footballer in the world, succeeding with Real Madrid and winning the titles that, at 25 years of age, still elude him both at club level (the Champions League) and at individual level (the Ballon d'Or) will skyrocket his value.

The World's Top Athletes Are Also Ordinary People

Football athletes life off the pitch 

An athlete's behavior off the field can have a significant impact on their performance on the field or in their respective sport. Sports performance is influenced by a variety of factors, including conditioning, skill development, and coaching, but an athlete's behavior and lifestyle habits can play an important role in determining performance.Here are some ways off-field behavior can impact an athlete's performance. 

Physical Health: Lifestyle choices such as diet, sleep patterns, and substance use (including alcohol and drugs) can directly impact an athlete's physical condition. Proper nutrition, adequate rest, and avoidance of harmful substances are essential for optimal physical condition and recovery. Poor health can lead to fatigue, injury, and decreased endurance on the field. Mental Health: An athlete's mental health and emotional well-being are critical to performance. Off-field stressors such as personal issues, relationship issues, or mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression can negatively impact an athlete's focus, confidence, and overall mindset during competition. 

Discipline and Commitment: An athlete's commitment to their sport and their willingness to maintain discipline off the field is reflected in their work ethic and commitment on the field. A lack of commitment, discipline and motivation in your personal life can have a negative impact on your training and performance. 

Legal Issues: Legal issues such as lawsuits, criminal charges, and off-field disputes can be distracting and emotionally stressful for athletes. These issues can distract from training and competition and affect performance. 

Reputation and Image: An athlete's public image and reputation can impact their career and sponsorship. Off-field conduct, such as public controversy, negative social media activity, and unethical behavior, can tarnish a player's image and damage their chances in the sport. 

Team Dynamics: An athlete's behavior off the field can also impact team dynamics and relationships with coaches and teammates. Conflicts, personality clashes, or lack of professionalism can disrupt team cohesion and communication, which are essential to success in team sports. 

Performance Anxiety: If an athlete is struggling with personal issues or is struggling with their image or reputation, performance anxiety and self-doubt will increase on the field and affect their ability to perform at their best. may have an impact. 

Sponsorships and Contracts: Off-field conduct can affect an athlete's marketability, endorsements, and contracts. Negative publicity or controversy can lead to loss of sponsorship and financial opportunities. 

It is important for athletes to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle, manage stress, seek support when needed, and make responsible decisions to maximize their performance potential. Coaches and sports organizations often emphasize the importance of personal growth, sportsmanship, and good character as essential ingredients for success as an athlete on and off the field. 

Pressure on society 

Football has evolved over the years into a more strategic and technical game. As strategies and techniques increase, so does the pressure to find players who can demonstrate more skills. This is he one of the most difficult challenges in the world of sports. Finding this unique and special talent can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Nowadays, due to population growth, the talent in the sport is very good, but from among hundreds of thousands, if not millions of players, players who fit a club's particular style or unique talent can be very difficult to find. How do clubs find their next star? 

Scouting has become one of the most important ways to find a club's next potential player. Scouts usually start looking for players from the age of 10 to the age of 14. This includes players who have completed trials and training sessions at the club's youth academy and have the potential to sign. If the scout decides that the young talent fits the club's style and culture, a contract can be drawn up and the child between the ages of 10 and 14 can already be legally signed and transferred to a local club, national club or club. 

Once a club signs a young player, that player must train with the club for a certain number of days and play matches on weekends, while also having time to focus on school, friends and family life. One of his biggest factors is movement. If the club is close to where the players live, there will be a lot of travel and it can be very time consuming. Players contracted to overseas football academies often face the challenge of living in a country with a foreign language and culture and having to leave some family members behind at home. As players grow older and progress through youth academies, bigger goals emerge. 

Some of these goals may include reaching the club's first team or second team, and the club itself begins to expect more from its players. Otherwise, players may not be selected or their contracts may not be renewed. This puts more pressure on the players as their dreams can be taken away from them or stolen by team members who may be playing better football at the time. Additionally, players will be competing with their teammates for that position on the team, creating animosity. 

Children at the age of 15, 16 and 17 are currently at a crossroads in whether or not they can become professional soccer players. Even considering the stress of her football life, her normal life has not stopped or stood still. Day-to-day elements such as school, friends, and family are still present, but now these young teenagers need to start thinking about their future and what they want to study and do as a career. Which decision is wisest for a player? Should he continue playing football, but should he rely on it if he doesn't have a college degree? Will a potential player get this far at the club and have a long career ahead of him, or will he suffer an unfortunate injury and end his career prematurely? These are the questions that future football players must ask themselves. Because they are still young and don't know anything about life and how it works. 

These factors can cause young athletes to fall into deep depression, suffer from anxiety and high levels of stress, and develop medical problems due to stress and anxiety. All of these factors can affect players and their athletic performance. An interesting article by Sid Lowe (theguardian.com) about the famous Bojan Krkic and how he talks about the stress and difficulties he underwent as a player when he joined Barcelona at the age of 17 . The footballer, who once scored 900 goals for Barcelona's youth team and was dubbed the new Lionel Messi, went through a period in his career when stress and anxiety became too much to handle. 

Example, When he was called up for his national team debut against France, the reason for his absence was attributed to a gastrointestinal illness, but in reality he was suffering from a panic attack. Football has become a cruel sport where spectators show a lot of hatred towards players, and football players, young and old, are under tremendous pressure and are expected to succeed under these conditions.

El Clasico Preview and Review

a. Form From Two Teams

Ahead of the prestige-filled El Clasico match against Real Madrid, Barcelona's dressing room is said to be experiencing cracks. Week 32 of LaLiga 2023-2024 will present a match entitled El Clasico between Real Madrid vs Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu, Sunday (21/4/2024) or Monday morning WIB. Barcelona entered the big duel against arch rivals Real Madrid not in the best moral condition. As is known, Barcelona has just been painfully eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2023-2024 Champions League. Xavi Hernandez's Barca squad lost 1-4 to PSG in the second leg of the 2023-2024 Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday (16/4/2024) yesterday. As a result, Barcelona lost 4-6 on aggregate to the French giant. 

The crushing 1-4 defeat to PSG in the middle of last week is said to have triggered a rift within Barca. After the duel against PSG at Montjuic aka Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barca midfielder, Ilkay Guendogan openly said that the red card received by his colleague, Ronald Araujo, was the cause of the problem. “I prefer to keep what I think. "I have a code of ethics and values ​​that must be respected," said Ronald Araujo responding to Guendogan's thoughts, quoted from Diario As. Diario As then presented an article entitled "Cracks in the Barcelona Dressing Room" on Friday (19/4/2024). The media based in the city of Madrid highlighted the differences in views between Guendogan and Ronald Araujo. 

The issue of cracks in the dressing room is clearly not the best way for Barca to visit the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Guendogan confirmed that nothing serious had happened in the dressing room of the club, aka Blaugrana. The former Borussia Dortmund and Man City player actually said that the dynamic that occurred between him and Ronald Araujo was normal. “The atmosphere is good. The training session went well because we just finished it. We are looking forward," Guendogan told ESPN. "I think that's how the most successful teams in the world grow and develop by communicating, by looking each other in the eye and talking for the good of each person," said Guendogan. LaLiga is now the only event that provides a chance for Barcelona to become champions. The Blaugrana currently occupy second place in the 2023-2024 LaLiga standings with 70 points. They are eight points behind Madrid who dominate the top of the standings. This is quite a distance considering that there are only seven matches remaining in the competition. However, if they win El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu in Week 32, Barca can increase their hopes of overtaking their rivals. 

Meanwhile, in the previous match, Real Madrid drew 1-1 against Manchester City. In this match, Real Madrid was able to take the lead in the 12th minute, scored by Rodrygo. In the 76th minute, Real Madrid had to equalize the score scored by Kevin De Bruyne. The match had to continue to a penalty shootout, as a result Los Blancos won and qualified for the Champions League semifinals. The Real Madrid vs Barcelona duel is predicted to be tough. Both teams have extraordinary quality players. However, Carlo Ancelotti's squad is slightly favored after playing in front of its supporters. 

Predicted Real Madrid Line-up: Andriy Lunin, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes. 

Barcelona: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gundogan, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha. 

b. Is the result deciding the champions? 

Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off in the latest installment of El Clásico on April 21, 2024, with the match taking place at the Bernabeu stadium. This highly anticipated game has significant implications for the La Liga title race, as Real Madrid currently leads the standings with 78 points, eight points clear of second-placed Barcelona. A victory for Real Madrid would see them move 11 points ahead of their rivals, making it extremely difficult for Barcelona to catch up. 

Barcelona, on the other hand, is in a must-win situation if they want any chance of retaining the La Liga title this season. They have been unbeaten in the league since the end of January, winning eight times since then, including each of their last four matches against Mallorca, Atletico Madrid, Las Palmas, and Cadiz. However, they suffered a 4-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, exiting the competition with a 6-4 loss overall. 

Barca vs Madrid in 2023

Real Madrid, fresh from their victory over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final, will be looking to make it a league double over Barcelona this season. They have the best defensive record in La Liga, having conceded only 20 goals in 31 matches. Barcelona, on the other hand, have the second-best away record in La Liga, picking up 33 points from 15 matches, remaining unbeaten in the process. 

The match will also feature a tactical battle between two of the best teams in Spain. Real Madrid has been using a two-man backline in possession, creating a diamond in midfield, and ensuring numerical superiority in both phases of play. Barcelona, on the other hand, has been utilizing a system that mostly utilizes a two-man backline in possession, creating a diamond in midfield, and improving their rest defense. Key players to watch out for include Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, who is a minor doubt due to a muscle injury, and Dani Carvajal, who is also a minor doubt due to cramp. Barcelona will be without Thibaut Courtois, who is out with a knee injury, and David Alaba, who is also out with a knee injury. 

Barca vs Madrid during pre season back in 2023

Injuries and suspensions have been a concern for both teams. Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois, who is out with a knee injury, and David Alaba, who is also out with a knee injury. Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal are minor doubts due to muscle and cramp injuries, respectively. Barcelona, on the other hand, will be without Marcos Alonso, who is injured for this match. In conclusion, the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match on April 21, 2024, is a crucial one for both teams, with significant implications for the La Liga title race. Fans and football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this clash, which promises to be an exciting and tactically intriguing contest.

European Super League

 

1. Background

 

1. Concept

In 1968, then UEFA general secretary Hans Bangerter proposed the creation of a new "super-league" competition for European clubs that would replace the European Champions Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup and form the "European Football League Championship", a unique club-competition combining group and knockout matches, a novelty at the time. The proposal was never seriously entertained and, in the same year, UEFA approved to expand clubs' access to its competitions by creating a third seasonal tournament, the UEFA Cup, whose inaugural season took place three years later. The idea for a unique pan-European club competition was again discussed in the 1970s and gained legal traction at the end of the following decade.

In 1987, Milan, Real Madrid and Glasgow Rangers executives planned a league competition with a single round-robin format – dubbed a "Super League" by European mass media since the proposed format of the tournament was the same as that used in league championships, contrasted with the format of the European competitions, based on knockout phases since the mid-1950s – that would be more attractive for international television broadcasters, and would ostensibly allow the participating clubs to earn more income, for "economic and management guarantees". The competition was supposed to run parallel to the then three European competitions from the 1991–92 season onwards, but the project was abandoned in 1991 after UEFA announced sporting sanctions sine die for the clubs involved. UEFA also reformed the European Champions Cup introducing a group stage for the 1991–92 season, increasing the overall number of games, and rebranding the competition as the Champions League since 1992. The following year, then UEFA president Lennart Johansson proposed, unsuccessfully, to merge the Champions League, the Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Cup into a unique championship.

In 2018, Pérez began discussions with other clubs in Europe, mostly clubs from in Spain, England, and Italy, about the idea of a "breakaway" competition meant to provide "strong financial backing" for all the clubs involved. The clubs who participated in the discussions, conducted in secret, were primarily focused on exploring options if UEFA would not produce "reforms" for the Champions League that would be considered as acceptable for them. The idea of a new competition again surfaced in 2020, as big-name football clubs suffered financially from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, especially with ongoing debts. Real Madrid was amongst those hardest hit financially by the pandemic in Spain, which led to Pérez advancing the concept once again. The announcement of a new competition eventually drew interest from American investment firm JPMorgan Chase, which pledged US$5 billion towards its formation.

On 18 April 2021, the eve of a UEFA Executive Committee meeting whose objective was to revamp and expand the UEFA Champions League by the 2024–25 season in order to increase the number of matches and revenues, Pérez announced the "formation of the Super League," also referred to as the "European Super League" or ESL, via a press release by the twelve clubs that had signed up to be involved. These included English clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur), Italian clubs (Inter Milan, Juventus, and Milan), and Spanish clubs (Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid).

Pérez expressed the "hope" that the new competition would "provide higher-quality matches and additional financial resources for the overall football pyramid", provide "significantly greater economic growth and support for European football via a long-term commitment to uncapped solidarity payments, which will grow in line with league revenues", would appeal to a new younger generation of football fans, and also would improve VAR and refereeing. At the time of the announcement, ten of the founding clubs were in the top 14 of the UEFA club coefficient rankings, with only Inter (26th) and Milan (53rd) falling outside. All twelve clubs were in the top 16 on the 2021 Forbes' list of the most valuable football clubs, their combined value was US$34.4 billion.

 

 

2. Leadership

The launch of the ESL included the announcement of the organisation's executive leadership. The table below shows each football executive who became involved in the competition's operations, and the role they'd held within the sport:

Position	Name	Nationality	Other positions
Chairman	Florentino Prerez	Spain	President of Real Madrid
Vice-chairman	Andrea Agnelli	Italy	Chairman of Juventus
Vice-chairman	Joel Glazer	United States	Co-chairman of Manchester United
Vice-chairman	John W. Henry	United States	Owner of Liverpool
Vice-chairman	Stan Kroenke	United States	Owner of Arsenal

According to reports, Gavin Patterson, former BT Sport boss, was approached to take up the role of chief executive officer.

 

 

3. Format

Following the format for the initial stages of the European basketball's EuroLeague, the proposed competition would feature 20 clubs that would take part in matches against each other. 15 of these clubs would be "permanent members", and were dubbed "founding clubs". The founding clubs would govern the competition's operation, while 5 places would be given to clubs through a qualifying mechanism focused on the teams who performed best in their country's most recent domestic-league season.

Each year, the competition would see the teams split into 2 groups of 10 clubs, playing home-and-away games in a double round-robin format for 18 group games per team, with fixtures set to take place midweek to avoid disrupting the clubs' involvement in their domestic leagues. At the end of these group matches, the top three of each group would qualify for the quarter-finals, while the teams finishing fourth and fifth from each group would compete in two-legged play-offs to decide the last two quarter-finalists. The remainder of the competition would take place in a four-week span at the end of the season, with the quarter-finals and semi-finals featuring two-legged ties, while the final would be contested as a single fixture at a neutral venue. Each season of the competition would feature 197 games: 180 in the group stage and 17 in the knockout stage.

On 15 October 2021, it was announced that the European Super League Company, led by Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus, was planning an open league with two divisions of 20 clubs each, intended to compete with the Champions League and Europa League.

 

 

B. Reception

 

1. Football Governing Bodies

The formation of the ESL led to widespread condemnation from UEFA, The Football Association and Premier League of England, the Italian Football Federation and Lega Serie A of Italy, and the Royal Spanish Football Federation and La Liga of Spain. All governing bodies issued a joint statement declaring their intention to prevent the new competition proceeding any further, with UEFA warning that any clubs involved in the Super League would be banned from all other domestic, European and world football competitions, and that players from the clubs involved would also be banned from representing their national teams in international matches. In addition, the French Football Federation and Ligue de Football Professionnel of France, the German Football Association and Deutsche Fußball Liga of Germany, as well as the Russian Premier League and Russian Football Union released similar statements opposing the proposal.

UEFA began immediately looking into making further reforms to the Champions League in a €6 billion effort to prevent the proposal moving forward. The Premier League and the Football Association released a statement "unanimously and vigorously" opposing the breakaway league but ruled out barring the six breakaway clubs from domestic competitions and preferred to not take legal action against them.

The European Club Association (ECA) held an emergency meeting and subsequently announced their opposition to the plan. Andrea Agnelli, also a member of the UEFA Executive Committee, along with the founding clubs of the Super League, did not attend the virtual meeting. Agnelli later resigned from his positions as ECA chairman and UEFA Executive Committee member, with all twelve Super League clubs also leaving the ECA. On 7 May 2021, UEFA approved reintegration measures for nine clubs involved in that breakaway competition. FIFA later expressed its disapproval in the wake of the negative outcry to the ESL proposal, alongside International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino stating during an address at the 2021 UEFA Congress in Montreux, Switzerland, both in response to the proposal and the clubs' efforts to remain in their domestic leagues: "If some elect to go their own way then they must live with the consequences of their choice, they are responsible for their choice. Concretely this means, either you are in, or you are out. You cannot be half in and half out. This has to be absolutely clear."

 

2. Uninvolved Clubs

Several top European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain, were approached by the European Super League (ESL) but all rejected participation, condemning the concept publicly. Real Madrid's president, Pérez, alleged that these clubs were not invited. Other clubs from France, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands also declined to join. West Ham United and Everton expressed strong opposition to the Super League, emphasizing their roots and criticizing the 'Big Six' English clubs for betraying football supporters. Leeds United protested against Liverpool's involvement in the Super League. Italian clubs Atalanta, Cagliari, and Hellas Verona reportedly called for the exclusion of Italian Super League teams from Serie A. The Super League project was presented as an alternative to UEFA's Champions League reform and was supported by Serie A from an economic perspective. FIFA was aware of the project, with plans for the eventual Super League winner to participate in a new FIFA Club World Cup. A survey revealed that a majority of UEFA member clubs reacted negatively to the Super League, with concerns about its impact and desire for changes if it were to proceed.

 

3. Politicians and Governments

Numerous politicians expressed their opposition to the proposals across Europe, the most prominent coming from the British government, with the objections to the ESL uniting political parties completely behind its prevention. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the proposals "very damaging for football" and vowed to ensure that it "doesn't go ahead in the way that it's currently being proposed", a position which was supported by Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer. In addition, the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said in a statement to the House of Commons that "this move goes against the very spirit of the game", and pledged to do "whatever it takes" to stop English clubs from joining.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for UEFA's position, stating: "The French state will support all the steps taken by the LFP, FFF, UEFA and FIFA to protect the integrity of federal competitions, whether national or European." The Spanish government released a statement saying they "Do not support the initiative to create a football Super League promoted by various European clubs, including the Spanish ones." Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also backed UEFA in their decision, saying he "strongly supports the positions of the Italian and European football authorities."

 

4. Fan Feedback

Football Supporters Europe (FSE), representing supporters in 45 UEFA countries, opposes the Super League. A YouGov poll found 79% of British fans and 76% of British team fans in the league oppose it. International fans and non-affiliated football fans largely support it. Tottenham Hotspur's inclusion is criticized for lack of recent trophies. Barcelona fans protest with a banner at Camp Nou. All six English clubs' supporter groups condemn the league. Protests outside Elland Road and Stamford Bridge lead to Chelsea's withdrawal from the league.

 

 

C. Aftermath

 

1. Legal Issues

On April 19, 2021, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin announced that UEFA would begin legal assessments the next day and aim to ban the twelve Super League clubs swiftly. However, the Super League informed UEFA and FIFA of legal actions to thwart the competition. Jesper Møller, UEFA Executive Committee member, anticipated expulsion of three Super League clubs from the Champions League and others from the Europa League. Super League Chairman Florentino Pérez claimed legal protection against expulsion. UEFA decided not to ban Super League teams on April 20, allowing matches to proceed.

The Super League raised concerns of antitrust violations due to alleged restrictive business practices. The European Commission opted not to investigate, fearing backlash if the case failed. Sports lawyer Daniel Geey suggested negotiations between UEFA, the Super League, and others were in play, with the Super League launch not assured. Arguments regarding competition law favored the Super League slightly under current EU law. A Spanish court issued an urgent precautionary measure favoring the Super League, preventing UEFA and FIFA from sanctioning or blocking the league's launch. The Super League planned to challenge certain rules in European courts.

In May, the Spanish court referred a preliminary question to the CJEU regarding UEFA and FIFA's potential violation of EU competition law. The court criticized UEFA's actions against the Super League, leading to a CJEU case. In June, Switzerland notified UEFA and FIFA not to execute sanctions against certain clubs. UEFA abandoned proceedings against three clubs following an ultimatum from the Spanish court, leading to legal challenges regarding the court's impartiality. In December 2022, an advocate general's report deemed FIFA and UEFA regulations compatible with EU law, with a final judgment awaited. A Madrid court ruled in favor of the Super League in January 2023, criticizing UEFA and FIFA's monopoly and ruling their rules arbitrary and unjustified in December 2023.

 

2. Major Changes

The Super League, led by Florentino Pérez and Andrea Agnelli, was in development for three years but faced rushed final phases and pressure-forged allegiances among twelve clubs, instead of fifteen as planned. The announcement lacked substance, and the coalition quickly unraveled due to pressure. Chelsea was the first to withdraw on April 20, 2021, followed by Manchester City and others, leaving only Juventus, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. Leaked documents reveal penalty fees for clubs breaching contracts. Global politics, including British and Russian government interventions, also played a role in the collapse, with financial and political concerns leading to withdrawals. Juventus later exited due to potential bans from European competitions, leaving only Barcelona and Real Madrid remaining in the project. A22 Sports announced plans to present evidence of coercion by UEFA against Juventus to the CJEU.

 

3. Club Responses

After English clubs withdrew from the Super League on April 21, the league expressed willingness to reconsider its plans, aiming to improve fan engagement and financial support. Andrea Agnelli partly blamed Brexit for the project's failure and hinted at potential changes. Despite the setback, Florentino Pérez stated that none of the founding clubs officially withdrew and pledged to work with governing bodies to save the league. Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, also supported the league's importance. In response to UEFA's actions against them, Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid criticized UEFA strongly and filed a complaint alleging EU competition law breaches. Despite potential legal battles, the Super League remained confident. Regarding the withdrawal of six English clubs, the Super League anticipated resuming talks and hinted at a modified plan, while some clubs firmly withdrew. Arsenal and Manchester United apologized to their stakeholders, while Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur expressed regret and acknowledged issues with communication.

Consequences included fan protests, resignations of executives from the Big Six, inquiries by football authorities, and fines for the clubs involved. UEFA welcomed back the breakaway clubs under certain conditions, while legal battles continued, with some courts ruling against potential sanctions. JP Morgan, the league's financier, faced backlash and a downgrade in its ethical rating. The British government announced a review of football governance, supported by various political figures. Despite the Super League's suspension, there's speculation about a revised concept in the future, driven by clubs' desire for increased revenues.