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According to unconfirmed reports in the British and French media, 4 major English clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are being targeted to play in a ‘Dream Football League’ (DFL) in Qatar. For participating in this 24-team league to be played every 2 years, these clubs are believed to have been offered a whopping £175m each.
The Qatari royal family is set to release a Times report next month on the plans to set up this DFL, which could pose a serious threat to the Champions League considering the huge amount they are offering these clubs. Even Barcelona is rumored to have been approached by them. They are planning to start the league in summer 2015.
Reports suggested that Qatar has taken this initiative in a bid to become a dominating power in world football before they host the World Cup in 2022. That intention seems evident from the amount they are offering these clubs for just participating in the league. To put things in perspective, consider that Chelsea were awarded £47.3m after winning the Champions League last year.
The total prize money of £595m given out in the Champions League stands far below than the amount that is proposed to be offered to just 4 clubs for participating in the DFL.
The tournament, to be played in Qatar and its neighbouring gulf states, is aiming to bring in 16 permanent DFL members along with the four English clubs. Eight more clubs from around the globe are also likely to be targeted.
Paris Saint-Germain, a club in Paris owned by Qatar Sports Investement (QSI), is rumored to be backing DFL. It seems their European dream has already been kick-started.
