The organizers behind the breakaway European Super League have unveiled fresh plans for a competition to rival the Champions League. Known as the Unify League, this revamped concept aims to establish an elite tournament featuring Europe’s top football clubs. The proposal follows the failed launch of a Super League in 2021, which disintegrated after widespread fan protests forced clubs to withdraw.
Madrid-based A22-Sports Management announced on Tuesday that it has formally submitted its plans to UEFA and FIFA, seeking official recognition for the proposed league.
“Now is the time for all stakeholders, including UEFA and FIFA, to bring real innovation that prioritizes fan experience and affordability, player welfare and match competitiveness,” said A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart.
📣NEWS: Today, we submitted our proposal for official recognition of a new European competition to UEFA and FIFA: introducing the Unify League, with modified qualification system based on domestic league performance.https://t.co/M72nhYtJ2o
Watch CEO Bernd Reichart explain: pic.twitter.com/yN81V5NVcI— A22 Sports (@A22Sports) December 17, 2024
The Court of Justice of the European Union determined last year that UEFA and FIFA violated EU competition laws by obstructing the creation of a Super League.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez hailed the decision, proclaiming that a “Europe of freedoms has triumphed.” Madrid, along with Barcelona, has remained a key proponent of the breakaway league, even as the other original supporters distanced themselves from the project. Pérez, currently in Doha, Qatar, for Wednesday’s Intercontinental Cup final, has yet to issue a public statement regarding the latest proposals.
A22 introduced a revamped format last year featuring promotion, relegation, and the possibility of exiting the competition, along with plans for a women’s tournament. The updated proposal envisions 96 teams, with qualification determined by “annual performance in domestic leagues,” according to the organization. The format would include four leagues for men and two for women, with free streaming of matches to “establish direct connections between clubs and their global fan bases.”
Although A22 claims its plans were developed after consultations with clubs, leagues, and “other stakeholders,” it remains unclear which teams would support this alternative to the Champions League.
The initial breakaway included Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. However, only Madrid and Barcelona have yet to renounce the idea of a breakaway competition publicly.
A22 identifies itself as an advisory firm dedicated to “developing and organizing new pan-European club football competitions.” The company’s CEO, Bernd Reichart, brings experience from the broadcasting industry, having held executive roles at RTL Deutschland and VOX.
Co-founder Anas Laghrari, with a background in finance, is noted for spearheading “financing projects for the renovation of iconic stadiums” and providing guidance on sports sponsorship deals. Although A22 has lost the initial support of clubs such as Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus, the Madrid-based organization will now pursue UEFA’s approval to launch the Unify League.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
