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European Super League: Fans and clubs can be convinced to back new plans, says organiser

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The head of A22, the organization behind the revived European Super League (ESL), believes that fans and clubs can be persuaded to support the new proposal. In 2021, the original ESL, involving 12 teams, faced strong opposition and collapsed within 72 hours. However, the European Court of Justice recently ruled against banning clubs from joining such leagues, leading to the announcement of a revamped ESL.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin dismissed the new proposals, stating that football is not for sale and jokingly looking forward to a two-team tournament. Five of the six Premier League teams that initially supported the breakaway plans in 2021 expressed commitment to Uefa competitions.

A22’s new proposal suggests a league system with 64 men’s clubs and 32 women’s clubs, featuring an annual promotion and relegation system with no permanent members. A22 CEO Bernd Reichart stated that the proposal addresses the concerns raised by critics of the original ESL, focusing on an open, accessible, and meritocratic league system alongside domestic leagues.

Reichart refrained from naming interested clubs but emphasized the importance of convincing both clubs and fans. The proposal aims to prioritize players’ health by aligning with the current football calendar, without increasing the number of matchdays.

Domestic leagues, including the Premier League, swiftly condemned the new project, reiterating their rejection of any breakaway concept. Despite the ECJ ruling, Uefa sees it as an opportunity to improve regulations, and Ceferin highlighted the need to maintain the connection between domestic and European football.

Champions League holders Manchester City and other previously involved Premier League clubs affirmed their commitment to Uefa competitions. The ESL saga, which began in 2021, faced criticism and opposition, leading to the withdrawal of several clubs. Ceferin mocked the new proposal, expressing skepticism about its closed nature and comparing it to the rejected 2021 version.

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European Super League: Uefa and Fifa rules banning breakaway league unlawful, says court

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The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that banning football clubs from joining a European Super League (ESL) was unlawful, asserting that UEFA and FIFA were “abusing a dominant position.” The case was brought by the ESL and its supporters, who argued that UEFA and FIFA were violating competition law by threatening sanctions against those participating in the breakaway league.

The ECJ, the highest court in the European Union, found against UEFA and FIFA, stating that this did not automatically approve a breakaway league. This decision is perceived as a setback to the authority of UEFA and FIFA in governing the game.

UEFA expressed confidence in the strength of its rules implemented since the ESL proposal, assuring compliance with relevant European laws. They trust that football’s existing structure will be protected against breakaway threats by European and national laws.

Barcelona, one of the original ESL clubs, sees the verdict as paving the way for a new competition. ESL backers A22 have released revised proposals, including a women’s European tournament with a league system involving promotion and relegation for both men’s and women’s competitions.

The initial ESL, designed as a midweek competition with 12 founding clubs, faced backlash for exclusive privileges and perceived greed, leading to widespread protests. The ECJ report emphasizes that FIFA and UEFA must ensure transparent, objective, non-discriminatory, and proportionate powers when new competitions potentially enter the market.

The report states that FIFA and UEFA, lacking such criteria, are abusing a dominant position, and their rules on approval, control, and sanctions are unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services. However, the ruling does not specifically address the approval of the Super League project.

Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22, claims the ESL has won the right to exist, asserting that UEFA’s monopoly is over, and clubs are now free from sanctions and able to determine their future. Real Madrid, still interested in the ESL, welcomed the ruling, stating that clubs are now the “masters of their own destiny.”

The ESL controversy began in April 2021, involving 12 teams, including English giants. Despite initial fines by UEFA, the plans collapsed within 72 hours due to widespread condemnation. Real Madrid and Barcelona remain interested in the ESL, while La Liga emphasizes the need for an open format in European football.

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Women’s Ballon d’Or: Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati wins award for first time

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Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, 25, clinched her first Women’s Ballon d’Or after a stellar year with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Her contributions led Barcelona to triumph in both the Spanish top flight and the Champions League, while she played a significant role in Spain’s World Cup victory. Additionally, she was honored as UEFA’s Player of the Year in August.

Among the nominees were several English players, with goalkeeper Mary Earps placing fifth, Rachel Daly at 10th, and Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway also in the running. Second place went to Chelsea and Australia’s Sam Kerr, while Barcelona and Spain’s Salma Paralluelo secured third place, and Fridolina Rolfo of Barcelona and Sweden finished fourth.

In her acceptance speech, Bonmati expressed her pride in winning the award, acknowledging the collective effort of her teammates and staff. She also commended her fellow nominees, emphasizing the responsibility of athletes as role models both on and off the field, advocating for a more inclusive and peaceful world.

Bonmati’s World Cup success with Spain was marred by controversy surrounding Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales, who was criticized for allegedly kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent after the final. During the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Bonmati netted three goals, helping Spain secure victory against England in the final.

With four league titles and two Champions League titles under her belt, Bonmati continues to solidify her reputation as a key player for Barcelona. This year marked the fifth edition of the Women’s Ballon d’Or, with Bonmati’s teammate Alexia Putellas having won the prestigious award in the previous two years.

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Women’s Champions League: Chelsea visit Real Madrid in group stage opener

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Chelsea FC is set to kick off their Champions League journey with an away match against Real Madrid on 15 November. This is the second consecutive year that Emma Hayes’ team has been grouped with Real Madrid, having secured a draw away and a victory at home in the previous season. Following their group stage triumph, Chelsea advanced to the 2022-23 semi-finals, whereas Real Madrid failed to progress after finishing third in their group.

Uefa released the group-stage fixture dates on Saturday following Friday’s draw, scheduling matches to take place between 14 November and 31 January. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages. As the sole British representative in this season’s group stages, Chelsea’s first home game is against Paris FC on 23 November, with subsequent fixtures against BK Hacken, both home and away on 14 and 20 December respectively. The team will then host Real Madrid on 24 January and conclude their group stage campaign with an away match against Paris FC on 30 January.

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UEFA Confirms UK and Ireland as Hosts for Euro 2028 Tournament

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In an announcement by UEFA, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have been confirmed as the hosts for the 2028 European Championship. This joint bid became the sole contender after Turkey withdrew to concentrate on a joint bid with Italy for Euro 2032, which was also approved.

The choice of the UK and Ireland for Euro 2028 followed their decision to step away from being Europe’s preferred candidate for the 2030 World Cup. Key venues for Euro 2028 are expected to include London’s Wembley Stadium, which is slated to host the final, and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for the opening match.

While England has hosted major football tournaments before, this marks the first time that the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales will host such an event. Matches are planned at various stadiums, including Glasgow’s Hampden Park and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

With this decision, Europe continues its tradition of sharing hosting duties, ensuring football’s reach and impact across the continent.

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Uefa Liverpool final: Fans blamed unfairly for litany of errors, says report

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A French investigation of the security incident at the Uefa Champions League final in May concluded that a long list of administrative mistakes and failures were to blame, not Liverpool supporters.

The pandemonium in the crowd that resulted in fans being tear-gassed and robbed in Paris was initially attributed by the French authorities to supporters and false tickets. However, according to a Senate study, the authorities wrongfully accused them. It claimed that dysfunctional errors were committed at every level.

Two Senate committees looked into what went wrong on the night of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris on May 28. They gathered testimony from Liverpool fan and club representatives as well as French officials for their report, titled Champions League Final: An Unavoidable Fiasco.

According to Liverpool supporters, issues at the Stade de France turnstiles were brought on by digital tickets that did not function properly on the night of the match. The situation was made worse by a rail strike, which created congestion as fans came for the game.

Fans were robbed and beaten by neighbourhood troublemakers in addition to being tear-gassed outside the stadium. Then it was discovered that the CCTV footage had been deleted a week later since no request to save it had been made.

One of the inquiry’s two chairs, Laurent Lafon, described an uncoordinated series of events and preparatory errors by saying, “Everyone went their own way without there being any real coordination.”

The investigation criticises Paris police, Uefa, and the French government. Uefa is criticised for failing to prepare for probable ticket fraud, and the government is criticised for placing the burden on the fans.

Additionally, it concluded that the deployment of tear gas on spectators was “especially harsh.” The security measures utilised by Parisian authorities, according to Liverpool supporters who testified at the inquiry, were similar to those used against hooligans in the 1980s.

As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the May final was moved from St. Petersburg to the local area in the middle of March, leaving local officials little time to prepare. However, it criticised Uefa for not passing legislation to prohibit bogus paper tickets. The administration was embarrassed by the tragic events outside the stadium as it prepared for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as well as the June parliamentary elections.

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CAS overturns ban imposed on Manchester by UEFA

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The Court of Arbitration of Sports has overturned the ban imposed on Manchester City by the UEFA, and reduced the file imposed on the club by the football organisation from the sum of 30m euros to the sum of 10m euros.

The two-year ban was originally imposed few months ago after the irregularities committed by the club had been exposed.   

The latest verdict does not abdicate the club of all charges levelled against it by the UEFA. Meanwhile, it does settle the case in a manner which is acceptable to both the parties – the club and the UEFA.

The club has done its best to portray the latest verdict as the victory of the position it has been maintaining since the origin of the financial irregularity allegation.

The attempt has somewhat succeeded in providing the club the desired result.

Manchester City is a popular club. It has contributed several talented players to the world of sports.

It is hoped that the club will not fall under the clutches of such an allegation in the future.

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