R.I.P. EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE

SportsBeat!

Written by Aaron Cantin

Well, that was quick. An announcement that sent shockwaves through the sporting world on Sunday did not make it the week. For the record, this is not just another weekly Champions League update. This announcement on Sunday was made with the intention of ending the Champions League and changing the structure of football around the world. The series of events that followed the announcement was that of outrage, protest, and ultimately, regret. Let's start from the beginning.

Source: The Buzz

What’s the big deal?

Before we go through the series of events that unfolded following the announcement of a European Super League, we need to understand why it has caused such an uproar.

Who are these clubs to decide they deserve to be in a Super League of their own and ruin the entire structure of European football as it stands? The proposed Super League would consist of 20 teams, 15 of those teams are founders meaning they can never be relegated or kicked out. FIve teams each year will earn an invitation to fill the remaining spots. The ten teams would be divided into two groups of ten. Those two groups would play each other twice followed by a playoff format. Sounds pretty cool, admittedly. But if these powerhouse clubs continue to face each other over and over, eventually, it won't be that special anymore. Especially considering the proposed league games would take place during the week, on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, while the clubs would continue to play in their domestic leagues on weekends. Not only do they want to disrupt all structure, but they also want to dip into the action as well.

Tottenham has not won a trophy since 1999. Manchester City only won their first-ever trophy in 2011. Liverpool has only won one English Premier League title ever. Liverpool is the only team of the three to ever win the Champions League. These “big six” clubs in England have not always been the big six nor will they be forever. A successful club can be determined in many different ways, not just money. It's no surprise the investors behind the Super League are foreign investors. The dream for many clubs is not to be a European powerhouse, but to fight their way up to the top division for a chance to compete on the big stage. If you take the top clubs out of each domestic league, revenue will drastically drop and it's the smaller clubs who feel that the most.

The uproar by fans across the world may have come as a surprise to some, but for those who care about their club's roots, they knew this was an artificial league from the beginning. All clubs should have to earn it, no matter the level.

The First Announcement

Afternoon of April 18

As reports began to circulate that an official announcement of the competition could arrive later in the day, reports also came out saying that several of the big English clubs were preparing an announcement explaining their intention to join, with the project led by Real Madrid boss Florentino Perez. Then, late into the night in England, the announcement came from websites of the clubs involved.

By night's end, it was announced Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan have all joined the European Super League.

Morning of April 19

With the Super League set to be between 20 teams, with 12 teams committed, questions began to come up as to who would be the other clubs to join? The most noticeable missing was Bayern Munich, the reigning Champions League winner and one of the biggest, best clubs in history.

The Bavarians, showing a spine and respecting the integrity and history of the game, firmly rejected their invitation. Borussia Dortmund and PSG, who were finalists in the Champions League just last year were also missing.

Borussia Dortmund was confirmed to be given invitations to the Super League including RB Leipzig. All of the German clubs stood together and rejected the invitation. This must be applauded. Who knows where this would be if all clubs would have accepted

Afternoon of April 19

UEFA fires back. UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin firmly condemns the Super League, saying the participating clubs would be kicked out of the competitions, while also saying that players could be banned from participating in World Cups and Euros.

Afternoon of April 20

The fans begin massive protests outside of Stamford Bridge ahead of the Chelsea-Brighton match. The protests delayed the game and ended with the ex-Chelsea goalkeeper pleading to the fans to let the team busses go through. Chants began as the Blues' supporters were aiming to help save the sport, concerned with the consequences of their team joining the Super League.

Later that afternoon reports across England began to circulate that clubs were preparing to pull out. Manchester City becomes the first club to officially announce they are pulling out of the proposed Super League shortly after. Other clubs then followed, including all of the English ones.

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward stepped down that evening following the fiasco.

Night of April 20

The Super League suspends their current plans for the competition to revisit what their next steps will be after fans, players, managers, and more protested the creation of the competition.

Since the news of it being suspended, more clubs have officially withdrawn, including both Inter Milan and AC Milan.

What Lie’s Ahead

To this point still, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus remain in the Super League. Although the Super League has officially been suspended until further notice, representatives of the clubs remain hopeful the Super League will eventually kick off. UEFA will hold a committee meeting on Friday to determine the fate of the clubs that originally joined the ESL then withdrew. Semi-finalists in this year's Champions League Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester City may still be kicked out of this year's tournament. We will find that out on Friday.