Super League organizer A22 is suing UEFA for USD 5.1 billion in damages. Real Madrid, the club that initiated the project which impacted European football in 2021, accounts for the largest portion of the claimed damages.
Additionally, A22 sent an 18-page document directly to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, demanding he immediately implement the European Court of Justice (CJEU) ruling and approve the Super League, now renamed Unify League.
In December 2024, A22 had sent a letter requesting UEFA recognize the Unify League but received no response. Subsequent negotiations between the two parties failed to reach an agreement. Now, with another favorable ruling and the USD 5.1 billion lawsuit initiated, A22 once again demands that UEFA officially recognize the legality and legitimacy of the competition.
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A22 asserts it has always strived for the Super League to avoid conflict with the Champions League, Europe's premier club competition under UEFA. Photo: Reuters
In the months following its request for recognition, A22 engaged in prolonged negotiation rounds with UEFA to find common ground and avoid further legal disputes, but no agreement was reached. "We made significant concessions but have not reached an agreement. Therefore, we reiterate our request for UEFA to officially recognize our proposal as soon as possible, and in any case no later than eight weeks from the date of this letter," states the latest letter A22 sent to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
In the letter, A22 detailed the unproductive negotiations over the past year, accusing UEFA of deliberately prolonging discussions to delay the Unify League's launch. Consequently, alongside demanding compensation for damages incurred, A22 remains resolute in launching the competition.
A22 stated it entered negotiations "to propose a consensual solution that would bring great benefits to fans, players, and clubs." During those seven months, their focus remained on specific key objectives that have been fundamental to the project's operation since 2021, when it was known as the Super League.
Regarding the format, the Unify League does not alter UEFA's current qualification process and maintains the three-tier structure: Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. However, it proposes dividing the 36 teams in the Champions League group stage into two groups of 18 teams, primarily based on UEFA coefficients. Teams would only compete within their group in the group stage, with stronger teams advancing directly to the knockout rounds or participating in playoffs. All teams would retain a chance to win the championship. UEFA rejected this proposal.
The proposed governance structure maintained the existing European Club Association (ECA) and UEFA decision-making bodies. However, A22 suggested establishing a Management Board with a majority of participating clubs, alongside player, UEFA, and ECA representatives. This board would possess veto power over format changes, revenue distribution, and commercial-sporting decisions. UEFA also rejected this.
The name Unify League originated from the idea of broadcasting the competition for free via a dedicated platform called Unify, which UEFA had previously praised. Ultimately, the European federation still rejected it.
Given UEFA's stance, A22 believes it has no option but to initiate legal action for compensation and demand recognition of the competition.
Also in the letter, A22 announced the structure of the Unify League Management Board, comprising 14 representatives from participating clubs, three player representatives, and three UEFA/FIFA representatives. The inclusion of players, often excluded from important decisions, is a key feature of the new model. Recent criticism has emerged regarding overloaded match schedules and their impact on player health; thus, player representation in the decision-making body is how the Unify League addresses this concern.
Hoang Thong compiled
