Sports politics
Super League makers: Clubs keep their fingers crossed “under the table”
Bernd Reichart is managing director of the sports project developer A22. photo
© Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
The European Court of Justice makes a landmark ruling in the dispute over the Super League. Is UEFA exploiting its monopoly position? It’s about the future of the European Cup.
The Super League makers are in dispute with the European Court of Justice before the groundbreaking ruling European Football Union confident. The EU court is expected to answer on Thursday, among other things, whether UEFA is exploiting its monopoly position when organizing – or whether another organization is also allowed to organize European competitions.
“We are fundamentally optimistic and have great confidence in the European legal system,” said Bernd Reichart, who is driving the Super League plans forward as head of the sports project developer A22, to the German Press Agency. “It is an important milestone because we will then find out whether the market will be opened. If the ECJ makes it possible for the clubs to gain sovereignty over their own competition, they will also lend a hand. I am convinced of that.”
In April 2021, twelve top European clubs without German participation presented their original plan for a Super League with permanent membership as competition for UEFA’s existing Champions League. This was initially quickly rejected after strong protests from leagues, associations and fans. Now the creators want to create an open competition with 60 to 80 teams in several leagues.
“There is a very strong consensus that there is a problem at the moment and that we should all start looking for solutions. People in Germany also perceive that the Champions League contributes to the fact that many countries in Europe always have the same champions “The Champions League in its current format with annual qualification is driving polarization within the national leagues; Germany is just one example of many,” said Reichart (49). “There are clubs that say this is the only chance for fundamental reforms. They say: We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you, but under the table.”