Editorial of the “World”. In 1990, England striker Gary Lineker defined football as follows: “A simple game: twenty-two players compete for a ball for ninety minutes, and in the end Germany wins. “ The formula has aged and could evolve with the project of creating a European Super League which threatens to dynamise the organization of competitions on the Old Continent. Football would still be played eleven against eleven, but with money, now, as an eternal winner.
That finance is at the heart of this sport is nothing new. Wonderful contracts, astronomical broadcasting rights … football has been a big money story for a long time. Nevertheless, a level is about to be crossed with the initiative announced, Monday, April 19, by twelve very powerful clubs. Their goal: to secede from the European Union of Football Associations (UEFA), the “government” of continental football, by creating a competition instead of the Champions League, a competition that is insufficiently lucrative in their eyes.
At this stage, three Spanish clubs (Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid), six English (Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham) and three Italians (Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan) intend to become at both actors and organizers of a show supposed to generate more income, which will be shared by a smaller number of beneficiaries. The French and the Germans are missing, Paris – Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich having refused to participate in the sling.
Self-appointed Elite
By further restricting access to the continental elite, the Super League would give birth to an inter-self that would make the competition lose one of its attractions: the possibility that a weak can measure itself against a powerful. It would mean the end of qualification on merit, by excluding 99% of European clubs in favor of a self-appointed elite on the sole criterion of money. The pyramidal organization of football, which guarantees a certain degree of solidarity between the top and the bottom, would be destabilized.
Therefore, what interest would clubs from a second zone which does not speak its name continue to finance a training center, recruit new players, call on investors to help them dream of a rise from now on? impossible ?
The promoters of this elitist barnum were obviously inspired by the United States. It is no coincidence that four slingers (Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and AC Milan) have American owners and that a Wall Street bank, JPMorgan, will provide the funding. Their Super League would be a copy of the basketball or American football franchises, extremely rich teams who compete without risk of relegation. Unlike sports, business hates suspense and unpredictability, and prefers recurring income.
While a negotiation remains possible in the coming months, hope remains, as this project is contested by some players, many clubs and many politicians. Above all, he is rejected by a large majority of supporters, including in the clubs concerned, for example in Liverpool. In England as everywhere, those who go to the stadium from generation to generation love this sport for its share of uncertainty and dreams. This project, as they know better than anyone, is being carried out in contempt of the public, more than ever reduced to the simple role of “client”, and should therefore not see the light of day.