Has the European Super League been stopped dead in its tracks or is there still mileage in the idea and can it be resurrected in some shape or form? That is the question currently on everyone’s lips associated with football. As far as the rebels are concerned, at least for the foreseeable future, clubs are concerned. The speed with which they distanced themselves from the proposal would indicate a certain reluctance to take the plan forward. The level and intensity of the opposition has made a rethink necessary. Either it is dead in the water or at the very least has been kicked into the long grass.
Pressured
It isn’t difficult to assume that those clubs showed their hand because they didn’t want to get left behind, not because of their belief that it was some fantastic revelation about the future of football. Those english clubs do seem to have come down on the side of the status quo. This reluctance would mean that nothing is going to happen in the short term. There is still some visible enthusiasm from the european participants, shown by the desire to involve the courts. Implications for those clubs could be severe if they press on. Those clubs most interested in at least paying lip service to the plan are those with most to lose by turning their backs on prospective riches that could be available. Barcelona in particular has cited money problems. The continued presence of the Coronavirus has also added to the drain on funds. This is reflected in their reluctance to cut themselves off from existing european competition like the Champions and Europa Leagues.
Consequences
What sort of sanctions would be available to the powers that be to dissuade the breakaway clubs? They are determined without doubt to strangle the infant at birth. An embargo on bringing in foreign players is one suggestion. Tightening up the transfer system would reduce the quality and volume of players moving around the major leagues, although it would act as a deterrent to clubs taking part in other leagues by stopping them signing the big players The most likely outcome of the European Super League is that sparring will continue, changes will continue to be discussed among clubs across Europe. Negotiations will continue until at some time in the future the advertisers will show their hand, decide the time is right and change will follow. Once T.V is taken into account then change is inevitable. T.V revenue was instrumental in making the advent of the Premier League so successful, a competition that has gone from strength to strength and is popular around the world. Who is to say that the European Super League would be any less successful..At the moment the ruling bodies are concentrating on making an example of the rebel clubs and making sure that other clubs are not enticed. Because of their ownership rules the german clubs can’t get involved. Perhaps talking would be a better option or football as we know it could be fragmented.