THE NEW chief of the failed European Super League has caused uproar by predicting that it will relaunch in 2024.
Controversial plans for a European Super League first came to light in April 2021 until a backlash from fans quickly put an end to the project.
All of the Premier League's 'Big Six' – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – pulled out of the original plans after huge protests.
They were followed by Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
But rebel clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have always remained keen on reviving the failed plot.
And now A22 Sports Management, the company that represents the three clubs still keen on a Super League, are planning to revive the competition after appointing Bernd Reichart as their new chief executive on Tuesday.
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He told the Financial Times: “We want to reach out to stakeholders in the European football community and broaden this vision. Even fans will have a lot of sympathy for the idea. It is a blank slate. Format will never be an obstacle.”
The original proposal for the 12 clubs would have guaranteed them involvement regardless of their domestic performances – and that “closed shop” approach is something Reichart admits needs changing.
He added: “There is a reassessment. There is a clearly stated move towards an open format and that permanent membership is off the table.
“We want to see whether or not there is broader consensus about the problems facing European football.”
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The Times have also revealed that the relaunch is down to fears that English clubs have become too dominant in Europe – despite only two Premier League clubs winning the Champions League in the last decade – in a dossier sent out to clubs.
The three remaining ESL clubs are still in a legal battle with Uefa after accusing them of operating a monopoly in European football and claims they and Fifa broke European Union competition law by opposing its creation.
Juventus and Barcelona both retweeted a video announcing Reichart’s appointment at A22 Sports Management in a show of support for him.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey was one of the thousands to join in slamming the six Prem clubs that were plotting the ESL breakaway last year by saying: “This is greed personified, ripping the heart out of the English game, leaving clubs up and down the country to suffer after an awful year.
“The consequences of these plans reach far and wide. The Government must step in to prevent a small number of greedy, rich owners destroying the game we all love.”
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