The judicial branch of the EU, the European Court of Justice has today ruled that blocking of the proposed European Super League was illegal.

So the "Super League" plan is apparently back on the cards.

It's not clear whether UK clubs could be (legally) prevented from joining the breakaway league. The only part of the UK that the ECJ has direct jurisdiction over (for now at least) is Northern Ireland.

But the EU's ECJ ruling indicates that clubs inside the EU cannot be prevented from setting up their proposed European Super League Club.

One can only hope it is..

Lip wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:42 pm

One can only hope it is..

In all seriousness, I truly think the PL should have called their bluff, wished them well and kicked them out.

Oh no not that old thing again

Yup. It's back on.

I wonder what the players think about it all

Whether or not the average football fan likes it or not, I can only see some sort of European League coming about fairly soon. The current Premier League has squeezed nearly every last drop of finance from its model. The big clubs in Europe will have to get together and control their own product soon. Whether or not that benefits teams like ours is up for debate. We certainly can’t compete with the big boys and their billionaire backers.

All these Americans buying English clubs isn't a coincidence, they will want a return, they are used to no relegation, cornerstone of the ESL is no relegation, if they get away with it watch it happen here.

Good, the sooner the better.
The football world has gone mad.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... ompetition

The idea of the ESL is exactly the same as that of the Premier League (PL) - the big clubs want more control over the money - basically more money.

These clubs also seem to think that the ESL will provide additional money on top of their PL income and the PL income won't be affected. They presumably assume that the main source of this money - fans around the world watching football on TV - will watch the ESL whilst still watching the PL. Surely there's a limit to how many games football fans will watch and how much they will pay.

These clubs need to remember that being part of an organisation (UEFA, Premier League) gives them huge benefits so in return they must accept restrictions. When the English clubs realised they couldn't do both the Premier League and the ESL they chose the PL. If they play in the ESL it will weaken their presence in the PL which clearly weakens the whole PL product so making it less valuable.

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:09 pm

All these Americans buying English clubs isn't a coincidence, they will want a return, they are used to no relegation, cornerstone of the ESL is no relegation, if they get away with it watch it happen here.

The new proposal includes relegation: Star league, Gold league and Blue league - and bottom clubs in Blue league are relegated to be replaced by other clubs from the top domestic leagues.

Roosterbooster wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:50 pm

I wonder what the players think about it all

A seriously interesting question. The majority of pros don't earn millions. I don't know about L2 wages but some players might be on "good money" compared with most of us but for them it's a short career.

Paul Waine wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:32 pm

The new proposal includes relegation: Star league, Gold league and Blue league - and bottom clubs in Blue league are relegated to be replaced by other clubs from the top domestic leagues.

Let's face it though, the idea is the top league is the best clubs from England, Spain, Italy and Germany. The bottom league would be clubs like West Ham and Brighton alongside European leagues. Anyone outside of it is effectively the same as non league in our domestic game. The chances of Chesterfield competing with Liverpool is just not going to happen. They know this. What Real Madrid and Barcelona want is a league where they're protected (they genuinely think they have a divine right) but also rules to stop English clubs spending more than they can. They hide behind sharing the wealth, but all the time they know it just solidifies their position at the top of the game whilst reigning English clubs + PSG in.

I actually think they've missed the boat. I think the English sides have realised there's little benefit to them joining a super league at the moment. UEFA continue to make rules that favour the biggest clubs and the EPL is a cash cow that La Liga, etc has no way of matching.

Let them go off on their Super League if they want to. Probably will be bought by the Arabs in a few years and played in the desert.

But maybe also a chance to resurrect a new football league outside UEFA

Rowls wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:43 pm

In all seriousness, I truly think the PL should have called their bluff, wished them well and kicked them out.

Completely agree. There's still time yet.

Oh please God, yes!

Get them gone so we can get back to having a proper sporting pyramid

Sounds absolutely horrific tbh , though let’s face it this was never going away. The same “ super clubs “and their greedy owners who wanted it ( and plenty who pretended they didn’t ) will be salivating at the prospect .

The first attempt was always an optimistic “ feel of the tit” move ,knowing full well the faux outrage from the rather awkward nylon shirted “ masses “ would soon fizzle . Now, with full legal carte blanche , the big boys can happily go charging in like an ungelded stallion !

It was never off…

It will also be used as a vehicle to get Saudi/Middle East clubs involved.

Someone on the radio yapping about how it will help the game, and how supporters will love it. No mention whatsoever of the biggest clubs keeping larger portions of the pie.

Sooner they bugger off, the better. I’d love it, absolutely love it (KK style) if they went and it failed due to a lack of interest from TV and live supporters….

“Can we come back please?”

“Get pumped….”

As long as they take VAR and PGMOL with them it would be a good day. With Man City in this ridiculous “World Club Cup “ thing…..Moaning about the Christmas schedule……various “international breaks “…….Europa League, Champions League…. Let them go……,,

Paul Waine wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:32 pm

The new proposal includes relegation: Star league, Gold league and Blue league - and bottom clubs in Blue league are relegated to be replaced by other clubs from the top domestic leagues.

For now. Eventually a closed shop and a top tier competition only will be the outcome. That is what they set out to do with the Super League. Let 'em off the Championship will become the top tier of English Football and we'll be Champions in 2030.

Paul Waine wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:32 pm

The new proposal includes relegation: Star league, Gold league and Blue league - and bottom clubs in Blue league are relegated to be replaced by other clubs from the top domestic leagues.

The proposal for the men's game involves the following:
• A 64-team European competition system;
• The top two leagues will be known as the Star League and Gold League - potential replacements for the Champions League and Europa League;
• The Star and Gold league will have 16 teams each;
• The bottom league will be known as the Blue League;
• Promotion into the bottom league will come from domestic leagues only, implying teams locked in the top two leagues would be hard to remove.

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 8:33 pm

The proposal for the men's game involves the following:
• A 64-team European competition system;
• The top two leagues will be known as the Star League and Gold League - potential replacements for the Champions League and Europa League;
• The Star and Gold league will have 16 teams each;
• The bottom league will be known as the Blue League;
• Promotion into the bottom league will come from domestic leagues only, implying teams locked in the top two leagues would be hard to remove.

16 teams in 2 top leagues, with 32 in the bottom league ?? That's a big league.

Rowls wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:43 pm

In all seriousness, I truly think the PL should have called their bluff, wished them well and kicked them out.

100% and to let them know they will not be allowed back in. One you’re gone, you’re gone.

Don't come running to the remaining clubs for players.


I would hope that they are prohibited from approaching the likes of us.

Most could kiss goodbye to away days too.

So, in conclusion, just sod off and leave us alone.

Thankfully there isn’t one English club now backing this proposal.

The best line I’ve seen on this today came from Kevin Miles the FSA CEO. Kev said at the end of his statement: “Success must be earned on the pitch, not stitched-up in boardrooms.”

It’s just Barca and Real being jealous of the wealth in the English game, can’t beat em, try join them.

They’d be better improving La Liga, make the product better which leads to more people watching and bigger TV revenue. Also more appealing for investors to invest.

Start with better spread of the current TV deal which I think Barca and Real are already swooping up larger cuts. better spread should equate to a more competitive league and more investors. Imagine PL where Burnley got 15m a year and Liverpool got 250m a year, no foreign investors would want to buy clubs like Burnley and the league would be even more unbalanced and non competitive.

I’m actually going to buck the trend and say I’m pleased with this decision. UEFA and FIFA are corrupt to the core, once again showing that with the Saudi World Cup. This paves the way for a break away World Cup.

More clubs in the frame now, though.

Yes. Then promoted into that European 3rd tier crap.

Marty Dobson wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 8:24 pm

For now. Eventually a closed shop and a top tier competition only will be the outcome. That is what they set out to do with the Super League. Let 'em off the Championship will become the top tier of English Football and we'll be Champions in 2030.

SydneyClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:04 pm

Yes. Then promoted into that European 3rd tier crap.

No we'll be after coming from league 2 2027, League 1 2028, Championship 2029 to win the KFC Division 1 title in 2030 so we won't have enough co-efficient points to get into it.

Is this not to replace the champions league- so won’t effect the Premier League fixtures?

That £100m player that VK says we have has now become a £500m player to Super League clubs