It seems that hope is the last to die. So A22 Sports Management decided to go on the attack again this Tuesday. Promoter of the Super League, this famous alternative project to the semi-closed competition Champions League, which had shaken the entire football planet so much in 2021, the latter has relaunched the game. Without having any intention of abandoning it. Even less after the recent decision of the Spanish courts, which considered that FIFA and UEFA had “abused their dominant position“by opposing the Super League.”Both world and European football bodies must stop their anti-competitive behavior, based on unjustified and disproportionate restrictions“, demanded, in this decision, the commercial court of Madrid.
In a press release sent to AFP, A22 Sports Management announced that it had requested FIFA and UEFA to “official recognition” of its competition, renamed “Unify League.”We have sent a proposal to UEFA and FIFA to obtain official recognition of its new cross-border European club football competitions“, wrote the Madrid-based company. Stating that it has already discussed it with the various championships, clubs and players. A22 Sports Management particularly insists on a fundamental point: its qualification system will henceforth be based on the annual performances of the National Championship.
Modified format
Why did you rename the Super League to the “Unify League”? Simply to remind you that the “Unify” streaming platform will be the one which will broadcast the matches live. And for free. “Pursuant to the December 2023 judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)any competition whose qualification is inclusive and meritocratic and respects the global calendar can officially see the light of dayspecifies the promoter in its press release. The change to the annual qualification system was decided, in large part, following conversations with clubs, Championships and other stakeholders, continues the press release written by this strategic consulting company to professional sports teams and associated organizations in Europe. These conversations intensified significantly following the CJEU ruling, creating a more constructive environment for open dialogue.”
So, what format is envisaged? According to a video released by A22 Sports Management, 96 clubs would participate in this new competition in four different Leagues: “Star League”, “Gold League”, “Blue League” and “Union League”. In the first two mentioned: 16 clubs divided into two groups of 8. For the third and fourth: 32 teams, four groups of 8. The rankings will determine the categories.
Meritocracy and inclusion
For each club, 14 matches on the clock each season (7 at home, 7 away). For the two most prestigious competitions (“Star League”, “Gold League”): the first four in each group would qualify for the rest of the competition. Then would come the quarter-finals, then the semi-finals and finally the final. “Blue League” and “Union League”: the first two in each group advance to the quarter-finals, before considering the last four and then the final. For the four competitions: quarter-finals in two-legged format and semi-finals (single match on neutral ground). “The semi-finals and the final will take place in one and the same country“, it is specified. All matches would take place between October and May, always in the middle of the week.
“It is a competition for all clubs and all supporters, based on sporting merit. Meritocracy and inclusion“, reveals the video signed A22 Sports Management. Will all these ideas come to fruition this time? In April 2021, faced with the anger of the majority of supporters and the threat of strong political measures, the Super League collapsed in 48 hours clock Initially supported by twelve clubs, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus, it saw nine teams back down. The putsch had failed.
But according to an “Opinionway” survey carried out for A22 Sports Management, the vast majority of fans are now in favor of this proposal for a free streaming platform: 92% in France, 95% in Italy, 97% in Portugal, 90% in Great Britain. Brittany… The plebiscite would be total. It remains to be seen whether FIFA and UEFA will follow suit with official recognition of this new competition. And that is still less certain.
