While it appears like the European Super League (ESL) is all but finished and shoved under the carpet, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says that the competition is on “standby,” despite nine of the 12 founding teams withdrawing.
Since announcement of the ESL, there have been an increasing number of discussions regarding the competition and how it will negatively affect the Champions League and football in general. The popular opinion is that a new league will ruin the stability of European club football.
Although there are many doubts about the viability of the ESL, the competition has some advantages in its favour to establish itself as a continental tournament. With that said, the proposed ESL is not as bad as it may seem, and here are six reasons why:
#1 The UEFA monopoly ends
The boldest statement to come out regarding Super League was from Tony Kroos. Even though he was not supporting Super League, he had a lot to say about UEFA. His words are just an indication of how UEFA and FIFA, the official bodies of football, are exploiting players and forcing them to play in tournaments they don’t want to.
He cited the Nations League and Supercopa as examples. Many players, even in the past, have remarked how these official bodies of football are using players like puppets. Super League might just be the end of the monopoly of UEFA over European clubs.
#2 Help clubs having money problems
According to the a statement by Florentino Perez, the European Super League is not just for its 12 founders. Regardless of who wants to join, the main objective is to rescue the European football economy.
“This will help Barcelona, which is going through a bad economic situation. It cost me nothing to convince (Joan) Laporta because he is a sensible man. This saves football, which is going through a very delicate situation. If we don’t do something, it won’t last long,” said the president of this competition and of Real Madrid.
Another argument of Perez is that the new generations have lost interest in tournaments like the Champions League. Therefore, they seek to revolutionise competitions, arouse interest, increase income and win spotlights.
#3 More competitive games
Accept it or not, money has always been an integral part of football. It can improve the facilities at a club, the quality of the pitch, the scouting network, and the training regimes. Yes, it can buy quality players too. In an inflated market like today, money is everything.
“We will help football at every level and take it to its rightful place in the world. Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires,” said Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, the first chairman of the Super League.
According to the reports, Super League can generate more revenue and the prize money is much higher than the Champions League. All the top clubs in the top 3 leagues are a part of it. The remaining teams are to join soon. If Super League doesn’t remain a pipe dream, the competition will be intense. Players and clubs can thrive under such an environment which can improve the quality of European football in general.
#4 Improve women’s football
According to the first information published by the European Super League, the intention is that the tournament is also reflected in the women’s teams. The problem is that if the men’s competition does not have a start date, theirs looks even more distant. However, the clashes between European women’s clubs are very attractive and are attracting more and more attention.
The Champions League competition has tightened, and this year ended an overwhelming dominance by Olympique Lyonnais. The Women’s Super League (England), the Primera Iberdrola (Spain), and the Division 1 Feminine (France), boast an enviable level. In addition, they include international stars such as Tobin Heath, Pernille Harder, Alexia Putellas and Eugenie Le Sommer.
#5 More exciting matches
European Super League is a midweek league, just like the Champions League. Even though the format of the league is still unclear, it seems that each club will have to play more matches when compared to the Champions League. Keep in mind the fact that only 20 top clubs will be allowed to play, which will result in more top quality games. Champions League fans, more than anyone, are to benefit from such a feast of highest quality football.
#6 Infrastructure improvements
If the main objective of Florentino Perez and company is to rescue the economy, we could talk about improvements in stadiums or club facilities. Beyond all boasting luxury infrastructure, this could be a long-term benefit. There is also talk of attracting the new generations, so they would enjoy the modifications or updates. However, all this is still in the air, they are possibilities that we do not know if they will be able to materialise.
