<p>Although approved by the EU’s Court of Justice, the ambitious plans for the European Super League haven’t materialized as anticipated.</p>



<p>Several top European clubs boycotted, revealing strong opposition to the innovative idea of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/european-super-league-says-20-teams-ready-to-join-division-20240123-WST-485041.html">European Super League</a>. A number of sources have indicated that enough teams have agreed to hold the tournament as of late.</p>



<p>After winning their case in court, ESPL organizers began reaching out to prospective teams. They are namely a selected group of at least 50 top-tier teams. Regrettably, the concept has been <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/new-setback-serie-a-law-change-poses-threat-to-super-league-20231230-WST-480503.html">shot down by almost 60 percent of them</a>.</p>



<p>The initial plan proposed a “closed” league, but there was significant criticism for allegedly excluding clubs, abusing their dominant positions.</p>



<p>Fan demonstrations, global outcry, and a strong warning from UEFA ensued. The proposal failed despite its warnings that participating clubs and players would be ineligible for major tournaments like the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a>.</p>



<p>Shortly after, six of the twelve rebel clubs, including half from the English Premier League, declined participation, causing the plan’s collapse. Following A22 Sports Management’s efforts in Spanish courts, the matter was referred to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.</p>



<h2>What was Agnelli’s original plan?</h2>



<p>Andrea Agnelli is among the key people who founded the Super League. Twelve of Europe’s most prestigious clubs proposed the formation of a new European tournament in 2021, prompting his resignation as ECA Chairman.</p>



<p>Only <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/juventus-tv-schedule/">Juventus</a>, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> remained officially participating in the breakaway competition after most of the other teams left within 48 hours.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240127_WST_485956_imago1022577973h-1200x800_6ef3b67c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" alt="" class="wp-image-485970" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1022577973h-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1022577973h-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1022577973h-768x512.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1022577973h-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1022577973h-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>The Super League project has already damaged relations within European football, most notably Andrea Agnelli and Aleksander Ceferin</figcaption></figure>



<p>Agnelli stepped down as president of Juventus a year ago, so he is no longer in that role. Despite Ceferin’s role as godfather to Agnelli’s daughter, the Super League initiative severed ties between the two men.</p>



<p>“So what [about it]? I used to speak to Alex [Ceferin] three times a day. I had a very strong connection. They are envious of the fact that I have an objective and I try and reach it. I don’t compromise.</p>



<p>“My feeling is time is a gentleman. And things will probably, hopefully, be right at one time. If not, again, my conscience is super clear”, he told the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/ed5b2b2f-df93-4f77-bfed-66c6dcea0dd8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial Times</a>.</p>



<h2>What does future hold for Super League?</h2>



<p>Agnelli also said that 50 to 60 teams are in discussions over the new ideas, but no clubs have come forward to officially express their interest. Two teams, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have remained dedicated from the inaugural Super League. Not even Juventus, his ex-side, have shown any interest.</p>



<p>“Give us time to work. It’s not like things happen as magic. We find ourselves in a b2b b2c situation . . . We need to find the clubs, which is the [business to business] part, because if we don’t have the clubs to participate within the competition, we can’t reach the c, the consumers.”</p>



<p>A lot of people get furious when companies and consumers communicate instead of fans and clubs. “You don’t care about the sport — all you care about is money.” read the massive banner that Borussia Dortmund fans in Germany raised in November. It featured Agnelli, PSG’s Al-Khelaifi, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.</p>



<p>Photo credits: IMAGO / Sven Simon : IMAGO / Marco Canoniero.</p>

50 to 60 clubs are holding talks over Super League plans 

Despite approval from the EU's Court of Justice, plans for the European Super League haven't materialized as hoped


<p>European soccer’s governing body is reportedly ready to extend an olive branch to <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/juventus-tv-schedule/">Juventus</a>. The Italian giants saw 15 <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> points docked this season as a result of financial irregularities. Their entire board resigned while the investigation took place. Along with the points deduction, UEFA are also <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/juventus-could-be-banned-from-uefa-competitions-20230122-WST-416432.html">considering banning </a>the Bianconeri from European competitions such as the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a>. </p>



<p>Nevertheless, the organization is now considering helping the Old Lady. There is, however, one stipulation: Juventus must officially leave the European Super League project. The failed league originally formed in the spring of 2021 when 12 big clubs declared intentions to form a breakaway structure. </p>



<p>However, fan backlash quickly forced nine of these teams to back out of the scheme. Only Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus remained.</p>



<h2>Agnelli rift with UEFA is personal</h2>



<p><em><a href="https:\/\/www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Juventus/01-04-2023/juve-prove-pace-la-uefa-ma-serve-uscire-superlega-460925509078.shtml?refresh_ce" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Gazzetta dello Sport</a></em> state that UEFA could work with Juve now Andrea Agnelli is no longer involved in the club. Agnelli previously served as the team’s chairman from 2010 to 2022. The Italian businessman was one of the Juventus officials that resigned amidst the aforementioned financial investigation.</p>



<p>Agnelli’s departure being welcomed by UEFA is certainly interesting. This is due to the fact the former Bianconeri chairman has personal ties with UEFA. Aleksander Ceferin, the current president, is the godfather of one of Agnelli’s children. With Agnelli out, the two sides have created a new dialogue.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The future of the European Super League could be thrown into doubt, should Juventus accept UEFA&apos;s help over their financial issues. (La Gazzetta dello Sport) <a href="https:\/\/t.co/vuuSrvyX1E">pic.twitter.com/vuuSrvyX1E</a></p>— Football España (@footballespana_) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/footballespana_/status/1642138751819214849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div><figcaption>Juventus’ decision may prove terminal for Florentino Perez’s Super League plans</figcaption></figure>



<h2>UEFA are waiting on Juventus’ decision</h2>



<p>Despite the informal discussions, UEFA and the Italian giants have reportedly not actually met face to face. The organization is waiting to see how the Super League plans to reform. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a>, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> and Juventus were committed to creating the league, but it remains to be seen how or when this will take place.</p>



<p>UEFA are essentially asking the Italians to shelve these ambitions and remain in Serie A. In return, the governing body will help the Italian club out in the investigation. This would extend to allowing them to play in either the Champions League or <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a>. The club, however, have not officially left the Super League project at this juncture.</p>



<p>Photo Credit: IMAGO / Gribaudi/ImagePhoto</p>


UEFA are willing to work with Juventus on their investigation into club finances, if the Italian giants were to quit the European Super League

UEFA to help Juventus in investigation if they quit Super League

Latest news from Andrea Agnelli. Find out about all the news related to Andrea Agnelli on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Andrea Agnelli"

European Super League

50 to 60 clubs are holding talks over Super League plans

European Super League

UEFA to help Juventus in investigation if they quit Super League