The European Superleague, an Attack On Modest Football

Last Sunday, 12 European football (or soccer, for Americans) clubs announced the creation of the European Superleague, an imitation to the NBA, NFL or Basketball Euroleague. After only 48 hours, and the protests by multiple fans worldwide, English teams abandoned the project, followed by Atletico Madrid, and the Italian teams. But, why was so important that it disappeared? Let's try to explain it.

The European Superleague

No sports merit

Europe relish its traditions, and especially a culture like the English. These traditions include football as they have been knowing it for the past 100 years, a sport that rewards effort and punishes failure. The divisions system adopted in almost every league in Europe ensures competition each year. If you are not good enough to play in a league, you relegate to the next. In the other hand, if your team is too good, they promote to the next tier.

When European tournaments were introduced, only domestic champions could participate in the European competitions. With time, Champions League was introduced, giving the chance to other top teams to participate, so second, third or fourth place teams would still have the opportunity to appear in front of the whole continent. This created a context in which any club in England, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and so on could dream at playing at the biggest stage. If you make it to the fourth spot, you play Champions League, regardless of your name, history or tradition.

Ferencváros, Istambul and Midtjylland played their first Champions League this year

However, with the new European Superleague, that privilege disappears. This new competition would be played by the 12 founders (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, AC Milan, Juventus and Internazionale), 3 invitees and 5 teams that would qualify. This means that neither of the founders need to worry about their domestic performance. If they are not interested in winning the league, they would not compete. And also, to receive one of those 5 wildcards, is almost impossible, so modest clubs do not actually have a single chance to see themselves at the Superleague.

This was one of the biggest issues. On the day after the announcement, Liverpool played at Ellan Road, home of Leeds United FC. Bielsa's side walked on the field with T-shirts saying "Earn It". That message meant that playing in the best competition in Europe needs to be earned, not given every year without competition. This message was shared by some footballers, and even Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's manager who should have been in favor of that league.

The British to the rescue

Then, on Tuesday, less than 48 hours from the announcement, Chelsea fans gathered in front of Stamford Bridge, where their team was supposed to play Brighton in a few hours. There were protests and some intelligent posters trying to show their disgust by the Superleague. The most photographed was the one saying: "We want our cold nights in Stoke". This means they prefer to play at modest stadiums, but close to home, in the Premier League, rather than not being able to travel with the team because every two weeks their club plays overseas.

In the end, Chelsea legend Petr Čech, current employee, had to exit the bus and try to dissolve the protestors, and while the squad was preparing for the game, Chelsea's directors were deciding to pull off from the Superleague. Only a few minutes later, Manchester City decided to leave that competition, which created a new context. So, finally, every English club decided to say goodbye to that project and be loyal to their home fans (not everything is about them, of course, but I prefer to think their people had something to do with it).

British fans protesting on the street

Will this mean the Superleague project is dead?

Yes and no. This Superleague project is indeed dead. But no doubt, there will be more to come (actually, the new Champions League announced for 2024 is somewhat similar). However, next time, they would listen to their fans and see what actually matters to them.

It is obvious football needs a renovation, from its economic model, to its competitions. Youngsters are losing interest in these tournaments, but it is not everything about the format. Expensive Television packages, expensive season or single tickets, horrible schedules and less places to play the sport on the street. That is killing football.

When LaLiga expressed their disgust by the Superleague project, they claimed they were thinking about the fans. But when they air a Clasico at 2 p.m. only so that Asians can watch it live, instead of the best timetable for the ones going to the stadium, they are not thinking about the fans. When the World Cup is being taken to Qatar in the middle of Winter (Summer months are too hot), and thousands of workers die every month constructing the venues, they are not thinking about the people. That, is the first step UEFA, FIFA and other federations need to make.

Then, you can start thinking about changing the Champions League format. But always make it about merit and competition. If Real Madrid has a bad season, or Liverpool, they do not deserve to compete at the highest level. If Leicester City wins Premier League, or Eibar make it to the Top 4, they should play Champions League. What you can change is the competition itself, having more playoff rounds, an NBA style (best of 5), a "win or go home" like NCAA. But do not take away the most beautiful part of sports, which is competition. Earn It.

Banner at Old Trafford, Man Utd's house