A22 Sports, the driving force behind the controversial Super League concept, has taken a bold step in its ongoing quest to establish a new European football competition. On a recent Tuesday, the organization submitted a formal proposal to both UEFA and FIFA, seeking recognition of its rights to create a new continental tournament. The backdrop to this audacious move is a December 2023 ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which critically examined the governance practices of UEFA and FIFA. The court’s verdict accused these bodies of abusing their dominant positions in the football ecosystem and described their regulations as “arbitrary.”
Following the ruling, UEFA contended that its revised regulations, implemented since the attempted launch of the Super League in April 2021, now aligned with EU law. However, A22’s corporation showed no signs of backing down. The organization’s latest proposal emphasizes that EU law legitimizes the establishment of any football competition characterized by inclusivity and merit-based qualification that adheres to the overall match calendar.
In a shift from its previous approaches, A22 claims to have engaged with a variety of stakeholders, including football clubs, leagues, and relevant organizations, to refine its proposal. The company, led by CEO Bernd Reichart, unveiled a revised model aimed at confronting the pressing issues currently plaguing European football. High subscription costs for viewers, a congested player schedule, insufficient funding for women’s football, and widespread dissatisfaction with existing competition formats and governance are among the concerns that prompted A22’s latest initiative.
Reichart asserts that this proposal is not merely self-serving; it intends to offer solutions that would resonate positively with fans and participants alike. Notably, he highlighted the importance of a qualification structure allowing teams to qualify based on domestic league performance, which may serve to create a fairer, more competitive playing field.
A significant aspect of A22’s vision for the new competition, now dubbed the “Unify League,” is its unique broadcasting model. The league plans to utilize a new streaming service named Unify, which aims to operate under a free-to-air model supported by advertising. This could potentially make matches more accessible to a broader audience, addressing one of the major criticisms concerning the financial barriers associated with top football competitions.
The structure of the Unify League is also notable for its ambition and scope. Initially outlined as a three-league system for men’s football, the reinvented league expands the concept to include 96 teams divided into four leagues. Notably, the introduction of promotion and relegation features in both the men’s and women’s competitions could encourage competitive integrity and fan engagement, offering clubs—especially those outside traditional powerhouses—a chance to ascend through the ranks.
Despite A22’s enthusiasm and extensive plans, it faces formidable opposition from established football entities. Since the initial inception of the Super League, several clubs have distanced themselves from the project, particularly those in the English Premier League, under pressure from fans and government sentiments. The Premier League, along with top leagues such as LaLiga, Bundesliga, and Serie A, continues to express its strong disapproval of the Super League initiative. Many within these leagues view the proposed format as a threat to the integrity and competitiveness of domestic and traditional European competitions.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has notably criticized A22 Sports, indicating that the organization lacks a comprehensive understanding of the economic and sporting implications of their rapidly evolving proposals. This resistance raises critical questions about the potential for the Unify League not just to coexist with existing competitions but to genuinely succeed in a highly competitive market.
As A22 Sports pushes forward with its vision for the Unify League, the future of European football hangs delicately in the balance. Key stakeholders face the challenge of reconciling competing interests that prioritize commercial viability with the enduring traditions and values that define European football. The regulatory landscape and the responses from established leagues will undoubtedly shape the outcome of A22’s ambitions. The potential for a new competition to emerge as a significant force in European football continues to exert a magnetic pull, but its realization remains shrouded in uncertainty amid substantial opposition.