SUMMARY
- In 2023, ESL proposed a new format that does not protect the founding members and almost follows a similar format to the new UEFA Champions League.
- Manchester United released an official statement to confirm that their position has not changed since 2021.
The European Super League (ESL) is being resurrected after the European Court of Justice ruled UEFA and FIFA’s attempt to ban the ESL as unlawful under European rules. The competition is being pushed again by A22 Sports, with a new format and a new digital streaming platform.
As the competition enters the spotlight again after two years, fans of the original founding members are questioning whether the club will rejoin the Super League once again. Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, was also part of the founding members back in 2021.
However, the English club backed out once it faced backlash from the fans. They were accused by the fans of chasing money and power over the general fairness of the game.
Our proposed new men’s ESL competition is a league structure based on a true pan-European pyramid: It will consist of 64 participating clubs in three tiers. Watch the video to learn more about the key elements. #BetterForFootball pic.twitter.com/yHfhVaPTFt
— A22 Sports (@A22Sports) December 21, 2023
In 2023, ESL proposed a new format that does not protect the founding members and almost follows a similar format to the new UEFA Champions League. So, did the most decorated club in England caved in to join the Super League?
Manchester United released an official statement on the European Super League
Manchester United released an official statement to confirm that their position has not changed since 2021. They intend to remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions. The statement came after the European Court of Justice’s decision and put the fans at ease.
The statement read, “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game”.
Manchester United’s response to today’s European Super League judgement 🗣️
“Our position has NOT changed”.
“We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the… pic.twitter.com/zlwi4WPPEr
— LiveScore (@livescore) December 21, 2023
The statement from Manchester United follows a similar response from clubs around Europe. Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Sevilla, and Atlético Madrid also confirmed that they are with UEFA/FIFA and will not support any new attempt for a European Super League.
The English club is moving towards a new era with the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. However, they are choosing to stay clear of the ESL. Manchester United were recently knocked out of European soccer when they finished bottom of their UCL group. Moreover, they are most likely to miss out on UCL qualification next year as well. All this hasn’t swayed the club to move away from UEFA and into bed with ESL.
The current owners of Manchester United are already under immense pressure under the second season of Erik ten Hag. The current decision will keep the fans at bay for a while until Ratcliffe’s era can kick in. ESL will try to poach more European clubs in 2024, which might change the stance of Manchester United. However, for the time being, the English club is playing it safe.