Top European clubs planning to start a separate league: Reports
German publication Der Spiegel has reported that top European clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and others are in talks about staging a new competition called the European Super League. According to the report, Key Capital Partners, a Spanish company, is drafting the plan for the new competition. Interestingly, Bayern Munich have refuted such claims. Details follow.
Spiegel reveals details of the plan
As per a report by Spiegel, Key Capital Partners has made a plan involving 11 top clubs for the European Super League, which will follow the Champions League format. Clubs will share the broadcast revenues and the league might kick off from 2021. Notably, both Key Capital Partners and the club which gave it the task, Real Madrid, have refused to comment.
Format of the tournament
Spiegel stated that rules will be such that the founding members of the league will not face elimination, but there will be five extra slots for which teams can qualify and participate. This might also replace the UCL which features 32 teams.
Has Key Capital Partners already sent a draft to Perez?
Der Spiegel and European Investigative Collaborations added that Key Capital Partners has sent a draft of the contract called Draft of an Agreement of the Sixteen, to Real Madrid President Florentino Perez. The draft states that the founding members will not be subject to relegation for the coming 20 years. Names of the founding clubs and the five guests have also been revealed.
Which are the founding clubs and their guests?
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus, Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Liverpool, AC Milan, and Bayern Munich will be the founding clubs of the tournament. Atletico Madrid, Dortmund, Marseille, Inter Milan, and AS Roma are being considered as the guests. No official made a comment when contacted by Reuters.
Bayern Munich declined, while Dortmund agreed to the news
Bayern Munich released a statement saying they have no knowledge of the Super League and do not understand why they have been named as founders in the Der Spiegel report. European Club Association has also revealed that they have no knowledge of such a tournament being planned. However, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said that he is aware of the tournament, which is being planned.
