The setting up of the European Super League was not unexpected, what was unexpected was the speed in which it unravelled when faced with united opposition. Opposition to the new league began to gel as individual groups came together. UEFA was obviously the main dissenter given that their champions league could lose massive amounts of revenue. The English Premier League and the Football Association too were quick out of the blocks, the UK Government too, was quick to form the view that the status quo had to be preserved and restrictive practices stopped. Not least of the opposition was the massive criticism that swept over those clubs involved in the new league from the common fans. Fans from all countries were rightly proud of their clubs history, built up over more than one hundred years, they saw the clubs often with new owners as not really having the clubs best interest at heart and paying lip service to fans wishes.
Politicians
The U.K Government joined the opposition, probably seeing an opportunity to garner popularity among fans and perhaps gaining influence in footballs’ decision making process.. They quickly established what was feasible for them to do .One idea was to make football a special case. The government saw the new league as a restriction of trade as participation was by invitation only, and favoured the rich clubs. It saw a chance to curry favour among the public by promoting itself as the saviour of the game, it was prepared to implement legislation and impose embargoes on the movement of foreign players. This ploy was not without risk as transfer blocks would hit all clubs and ultimately reduce the import of star players
Tensions
The relationship between the Football Association and Premier League hasn’t always been the closest, however the threat to football concentrated minds, Brexit had already given the Football Association more responsibilities including whether or not to allow foreign players and coaches into the UK. They saw avoiding the breakup of the Pyramid system as crucial which would surely happen if there was no longer to be automatic promotion, a likely outcome of clubs joining the league. They wanted to tighten their own practices with the government’s support to avoid an independent body being foisted upon them, this would include more effective financial and ethical tests and fan involvement. In their view this could all be done within existing structures. For its part the Premier League saw that it would have to make things easier to repel future threats to its existence,and is considering working more closely with the Football Association, even returning powers to them. This would act as a counter to dissuade the Government from introducing some sort of independent regulator. The review of the system for issuing work permits could be used as a tool to control the NFL’s ambitions The European Super League concept is seen as still having some mileage. What was suggested with the best of intention is now seen as being promoted by greed and self interest