'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The announcement of the creation of the European Super League has not been met well, to say the least.
There was an immediate uproar after the announcement, with fans and pundits expressing their disappointment and anger. Currently, 12 clubs have agreed to play in the league, with six Premier League clubs (Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur), three La Liga clubs (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid), and three Serie A clubs (Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan), the founding clubs.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will be the chairman of the league, with Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer, Liverpool director John Henry and Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke the vice-chairmen.
There has been heavy opposition from UEFA as well as the respective leagues, who released a strongly-worded statement about the European Super League.
We look at:
5 reasons why the European Super League is bad for football
#5 The beauty of football is lost
Football is the beautiful game, a sport where miracles happen and teams like Leicester City can win the toughest league in the world.
The European Super League threatens to take away the beauty of the sport. If the 12 founding clubs are ousted from their respective leagues, the Leicester City fairytale will never be replicated.
The announcement for the European Super League happened yesterday. Just a few hours ago, Arsenal drew 1-1 against 18th-placed Fulham, while Juventus lost 1-0 to Atalanta. Both clubs are among the founding members of the Super League. These narratives will be lost.
#4 The founding clubs will get complacent with no chance of being removed from the Super League
The format of the European Super League is that there are currently 12 founding members, with three more clubs expected to join soon.
In a 20-team league, the remaining five spots will be given to those clubs who qualify depending on results from the previous season. This means that the there would be no relegation or promotion, and this league format would be repeated every season with the 15 founding clubs a constant.
This does not breed competition, but rather ensures that the founding clubs become complacent. With no fear of losing their spot, there is no incentive for the clubs, and complacency is bound to set in.
Also Read: 5 best U-25 midfielders in the world right now
#3 Financial implications mean top clubs become wealthier
Money is said to be an important reason for the creation of the European Super League, with the founding clubs set to receive incredulous amounts to take part.
There have been reports that American bank JP Morgan has committed billions to the European Super League, and each club would receive £290 million to take part in the competition. This would result in the top clubs getting wealthier, and will thus be able to poach players from smaller teams with relative ease.
This breakaway league will clearly have deep financial implications in football, and if the plan for European Super League does go through the landscape of football will never remain the same.
#2 Complete disregard of the fans
There has been furore over the creation of the European Super League from fans all around the world.
Social media was ablaze yesterday after the announcement, with fans expressing their fury and disappointment. Manchester United legend Gary Neville was heavily critical of his former club, admitting that the six Premier League clubs involved should be docked points in the league.
Fans are the heartbeat of any club and this complete disregard for their opinion has not been well received. The pandemic has limited supporters to social media activity; when the stadiums open, the response will be telling.
#1 The league system is affected
The league system is an integral part of European football, with every season revolving around the happenings in the division.
Various leagues have already announced that the clubs taking part in the European Super League will not be allowed to play in their country's league. If the six Premier League clubs, namely Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are removed from the Premier League, there will understandably be a drop in viewership.
The quality of the league is affected as well. While the founding clubs are insistent they want to play league football as well, it remains to be seen what is done.
