DailySun
The proposed 96-club European Super League will feature four divisions, taking inspiration from the EU flag — namely Star, Gold, Blue, and Union.
Yesterday, A22 Sports, the promoter behind this initiative, revealed its concept for a “Unify League” and has reached out to Fifa and Uefa for formal approval.
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A22’s original endeavor for a closed 20-team league encountered overwhelming resistance from fans, leading to its cancellation in April 2021 — as previously reported by The Sun.
Nonetheless, A22 asserts that Uefa should grant its latest proposal official endorsement following a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice in December 2023, which deemed prior actions against establishing a Super League inconsistent with EU law.
An A22 representative confirmed last night: “The league’s divisions draw inspiration from the EU Flag/Flag of the Council of Europe.
“The Unify proposal aligns with the principles of the European Union and meets its regulatory standards.
“Clubs from all 55 member nations are eligible to participate.”
Qualification will be determined by clubs’ performances rather than guaranteed entries.
Games will be available for streaming via a directly accessible Unify platform, although fans may require a subscription for an ad-free experience.
However, one fan remarked: “They’re leveraging an EU ruling to justify this while seemingly basing the division names on the flag. This is unacceptable.”
A high-ranking official from Uefa dismissed the proposal as “foolish,” labeling it a “Christmas pantomime.”
Tim Payton of the Arsenal Supporters Trust stated: “We are entirely against these proposals and oppose any breakaway or super leagues.”
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He called on the football regulatory body that the UK government is setting up to halt this initiative.
The premier tier of the Unify League, Star, will consist of 16 clubs divided into two groups of eight.
The second tier, Gold, will follow a similar arrangement.
The remaining 64 clubs will be allocated between the Blue and Union divisions.
Each of those divisions will be split into four groups of eight.
A corresponding women’s league would also be launched.
A22, which operates out of Madrid, enjoys support from Real Madrid, its president Florentino Perez, and Barcelona.
A22 CEO Bernd Reichart noted that the Unify League seeks to address challenges such as rising TV subscription costs, congested schedules, insufficient funding for women’s football, and dissatisfaction with the present competition structure and governance.
We completely condemn these proposals and are against any breakaway or super leagues
Tim Payton, from the Arsenal Supporters Trust
He referenced the ECJ’s 2023 ruling, which stated, “any competition allowing for inclusive and merit-based qualification that complies with the overall match calendar can be officially organized.”
Mr. Reichart insisted that A22 has engaged with clubs, leagues, and other stakeholders.
On the contrary, Arsenal supporter Mr. Payton expressed skepticism: “I do not believe they’ve conducted significant discussions with fan groups.
“We have raised the Super League issue with Arsenal during our meetings, and they consistently assure us of their dedication to maintaining existing frameworks and competitive balance.
“We urge the club to reject and dismiss such proposals.
“This is a breakaway initiative led by individuals outside the frameworks of the FA, Premier League, and Uefa.
Bowing to Greed
By Will Barker, a Sun journalist and Villa supporter
Just when it seemed that greedy clubs might have learned from the consequences of the previous Super League scandal, another absurd proposal emerges.
This time, the EU appears to welcome affluent clubs eager to extract even more revenue from fans.
My team, Villa, has been longing since the Champions League’s inception to once again hear that iconic anthem ring out at Villa Park.
The fond memories of our 1982 European Cup victory have largely faded.
Still, we have witnessed the grandeur of this competition while others in the Premier League bask in success.
Villa’s experiences in the tournament have been thrilling, including a notable victory over Bayern Munich, resulting in some of the most exhilarating celebrations in the Midlands I’ve experienced in years.
Football is fundamentally about the fans.
It is not meant for wealthy owners, and certainly not for the politicians in Brussels, who should stay out of our beloved sport.
“They’re marketing this as being slightly more competitive, yet it remains a breakaway venture fueled by Real Madrid and Barcelona.”
Manchester United supporter and football journalist Andy Mitten commented: “I do not see this as a realistic endeavor, and it appears to be driven by Real Madrid.
“I do not endorse it.”
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Fan Doug Sanders from Spurs tweeted: “Just no!
“It is apparent that player injuries are escalating due to an overloaded fixture schedule, providing little relief throughout the year.
“This is simply a profit-driven scheme for A22.
“I fear this would necessitate fans subscribing to yet another obscure platform.”
Another supporter remarked: “Perez doesn’t take rejection easily, does he?”
Someone else added: “Nobody desires this.
“Let’s put an end to this foolishness immediately.”
No one wants this. Stop this nonsense now
One supporter
Yet another user remarked: “A total waste of everyone’s time.
“As pointless as the new World Club Cup.
“Stop catering to faceless clubs.
“Fans yearn for competitive local matches.”
The new structure could enable up to ten Premier League champions, two in the Europa League, and one in the Conference League.
The Premier League would allocate three teams to Star, two to Gold, and potentially five more among the other divisions.
The original Super League concept guaranteed entry for 12 rebel clubs, including the Premier League’s Big Six — Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, and Man Utd.
All placements in the Unify League will depend on performances from the previous domestic season.
A22 plans to conduct 14 league phase matches between September and April.
The top four teams from each group will advance to a two-legged quarter-final, with the winners moving on to a “final four” week of knockout matches to crown the champion.
This implies that players, already expressing concerns regarding burnout, would face an even more demanding schedule.
No official launch date has been set, but it’s anticipated that A22 aims for a September 2026 kickoff.
The prize pool is still being finalized, though A22 promises £330 million in “solidarity” payments to smaller clubs and nations.
Total funding is expected to surpass the current £2 billion designated for the Champions League and the combined £700 million for the Europa and Conference Leagues.
Rules preventing clubs from participating in any breakaway competition are included in the UK Government’s Independent Football Regulator, which is currently navigating its way through Parliament and enjoys support from all significant political parties.
However, the new competition seeks to replace Uefa and be under the control of clubs — resembling the establishment of the Premier League over three decades ago.
The Premier League, Uefa, and UK teams have not yet responded to the matter.
Nevertheless, clubs are likely mindful of the potential fan backlash.
In 2021, thousands protested at Arsenal, Chelsea, and Man Utd.
They launched smoke bombs, demanded the resignation of club owners who had backed the plan, and denounced the proposed structure, branding it “Super Greed.”
Potential Merits… But Will Fans Embrace It?
By Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter
The core issue with the initial Super League was its blatant unfairness.
Football has always centered on on-pitch achievement — securing a permanent place for the Premier League’s Big Six within a breakaway elite would undermine the game’s fundamental integrity.
While many fans reacted vehemently to A22’s recent proposals, the new plans do seem to address a range of concerns.
Qualification based on merit, rather than a club’s historical status, is undoubtedly a constructive step forward.
Additionally, the potential for more “big” matches, with every team competing against each other in a mini-league setting, could foster a more transparent competitive structure compared to the existing Champions League format with its 36 teams.
Concluding with an engaging knockout phase, highlighted by a final four week featuring single-elimination semifinals and a final, may enhance the competitive spirit.
However, it appears improbable that a new streaming model, offering both ad-supported “free” matches and a premium subscription, will generate the billions required to sustain four competitions each season.
The intended launch in autumn 2026 means substantial challenges need to be addressed promptly — including winning over the fans whose opposition swiftly dismantled the first Super League attempt in merely 48 hours back in 2021.
Ultimately, the success of this initiative will depend on whether clubs feel their interests are adequately represented, which could potentially build momentum — even at the expense of the Carabao Cup.
