What has been a rumor for several years, is now a reality…or is it?
Brace yourselves for a long, hot summer in Europe. And, I don’t mean outdoor temperatures. European football is about to explode, or implode, as the continent’s football commanders are lining up their troops for civil war!
Unless you live under a rock, and I doubt you do, news broke on Sunday that 12 of Europe’s biggest football clubs have come together to form the foundation for the European Super League. Those clubs are: AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur. The league would be run by these 12 clubs, not by UEFA, FIFA or any other current governing body.
The league would expand to 15 permanent teams, and then add 5 more each season based on previous season performances. Matches will be played mid-week. The ESL’s plan allows these clubs to remain in their domestic leagues and competitions, with the possibility of launching the new league this August.
As you can imagine, this announcement ruffled a few feathers.
UEFA and the Premier League issued a statement that “condemned the Super League, and will undermine the appeal of the whole game.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says they are receiving legal advise to ban Super League clubs from any further Champions League or Europa League competitions this season. So far, there has been no announcement to support this claim. Remember, TV rights play a major role in this type of decisionl.
According to the New York Times, each club joining the new league will receive over $425-million (USD) just for accepting the invitation. Money talks, BS walks.
UEFA has also been reported to have said that any player participating in this league will be banned from playing in the European Championships and international competitions, including the World Cup.
Ceferin has openly expressed his anger over this announcement by saying, “I cannot stress more strongly how everyone is united against these disgraceful, self-serving proposals, fueled by greed above all else. This idea is a spit in the face of all football lovers. We will not allow them to take it away from us.”
Two of the Premier League’s great managers also weighed in. Arsenal Wenger said, “I would say that it’s a bad idea, football has to stay united. I believe personally that this idea will not go very far.” Sir Alex Ferguson said, “Talk of a Super League is a move away for 70 years of European club football.”
Even UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a comment, “Our government will do everything we can to stop the European League from going through.”
According to Football.London, Mikel Arteta and his players admitted they knew nothing about the Super League until it was announced.
Meanwhile, Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is backing the move and praising Super League president and Real Madrid owner Florentino Perez for making it happen. Kroenke said, “Thank you for bringing us this victory that will change football for good.”
For the clubs looking to jump into this new venture, the money will surely come flowing in like a tidal wave from TV and digital rights, sponsorships and gameday stadium revenues. However, on the flip side, how would this new league impact the domestic leagues, the Europa and Champions Leagues, etc? Not only that, would there be a financial impact on the smaller domestic leagues who are already struggling to stay afloat in the midst of a global pandemic?
So, what does this mean for Arsenal Football Club? It means more cash flow and more exposure, however, how does a club currently floundering in the middle of the Premier League pack plan to compete on a weekly basis in such a league, and where will the club’s priorities ultimately land? How bad does this impact the history and tradition of European club football, especially on the national club level? And, what do the players think of this? Are they willing to give up playing for their national teams? What about the number of games to be played in a season already overloaded with matches?
There are so many questions to be asked and answered.
This will surely be a summer to remember in the world of European football!
Stay tuned.
Gunner1953
The Gunners defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Wednesday to win both matches in this season’s North London Derby. With the win Arsenal moves back into 2nd place on the Premier League table.
According to The Mail, Arsenal, is in advanced talks to sign Real Sociedad Martin Zubimendi at the end of this season for a reported $61.2-million (USD).
Takehiro Tomiyasu has returned to full training with the first team after recovering from a knee injury. 
Martin Odegaard, “We need to be sharper in the key moments to make sure we get the results we’ve worked for. We have to keep going and keep improving. There is no choice for us now.”
