European Super League, new Champions League format: What happened to the game I love?
Photo Courtesy: Leeds United Football Club
Three years after the widespread backlash following its announcement, the infamous football European Super League (ESL) project is back. The Court of Justice of the European Union recently ruled UEFA’s block of the breakaway league unlawful, causing the presidents of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona to declare that “Football and fans have won”. But have they?
To answer such a question, we must return to 2021 when twelve European “giants” decided to create their own continental competition, despite the existing Champions League: the ESL. The project was very clearly focused on financial gains. By creating their own league, “major” teams wished to increase how much they played against one another and obtain more valuable broadcasting rights.
It is difficult to perceive how big European clubs, who almost unrestrictedly spend hundreds of millions on transfers every summer, are not “free to decide their own future”. Yet, the few rules which barely tackle inequalities appear to be too much. Not only do these clubs want to sustain inequalities, but they also want to permanently maintain them by preventing the rise of smaller clubs, excluded from such projects.
The ESL goes against the very essence of football and sports in general: competition. The initial tournament presented a shocking closed-circuit. Fifteen “founders” would participate each year, irrespective of their performances. This represented a major rupture from the current Champions League format, where each club’s qualification relies on their domestic ranking and their country’s overall results.
Having faced a litany of rejections from fans three years ago, the revised ESL version aimed to be viewed as fairer. Yet, the foundations remain the same; nobody has been fooled. Profit is still prioritised over merit. The competition would be divided in three leagues. Whilst there would be three relegation/promotion spots in each division, it would take a minimum of two years with two consecutive promotions for a “small” team to play in the best European competition, making it almost impossible. By excluding smaller clubs, the giants would thus keep the money for themselves and eliminate the chances of upsets.
These underdog stories and one-season wonder teams are precisely what makes the ‘beautiful game’ beautiful. Unfairly, the type of football promoted by the ESL would also quickly turn boring. Access to football’s biggest stage should be based solely on recent performances, and not on economic power hidden behind vague prestige.
However, make no mistake. My outcry against the ESL is not a praise of the UEFA and FIFA. These institutions are almost as responsible as the ESL for the downfall of the sport I fell in love with as a kid. Due to the absurd revenue it generates, broadcasted football is progressing into an over consumed product at the expense of the game. By reforming the Champions League, the UEFA continues to push the agenda.
In the new hardly decipherable format, the number of games would increase from 125 to 189 in total with only four additional teams. Not discouraged by the alarming multiplication of major players sustaining long-term injuries, the UEFA thus carries on accumulating and lengthening competitions to produce more revenue.
Witnessing the worrying path football is taking, it is difficult not to fall into pessimism. If players such as Toni Kroos and Raphaël Varane and clubs with the example of Leeds have raised their voices, they remain isolated before the football institutions.
But do we fans even have a voice? We do, but it is still minor and disorganised. Three years ago, the outburst of anger against the ESL on social media and around stadiums had indeed pushed many organisers to announce their withdrawal from the project Yet, the recent news revealed that our impact remains limited. 2021 was important but only a first step. Whilst we postponed the competition and forced trivial changes, the threat remains well alive and mobilisation will be soon needed.