Celtic and Rangers have been told they would "significantly" increase their revenue if they made the leap and joined a renegade European Super League.
Ambitious Bernd Reichart – the chief of the ESL's company A22 – is selling his dream to clubs across Europe and claims he's held talks with clubs in Scotland but stopped short of naming them over fears of UEFA reprisals. Record Sport revealed in February both Rangers and Celtic are on the hitlist of the breakaway venture powered by Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona, however, it's understood Scottish football's leading duo remain steadfast in their support of UEFA. But now Reichart has told the Daily Mail why his venture is the right path for "domestic kings" aiming to earn more money.
The first incarnation of the European Super League flopped spectacularly as the biggest clubs in Europe felt the heat from livid fans with Premier League sides the first to buckle. But Madrid chief Florentino Perez was floating it again soon after and that's led to a reimagined Super League which Reichart insists WILL benefit famous European names who play in leagues outwith the top five. The winds of change come amid UEFA's looming revamp to the Champions League which kicks in at the start of the 2024/25 season. Scottish clubs currently earn around £30m for reaching European football's biggest tournament, however, the new kids on the block insists untapped financial benefits are on offer with 14 midweek games on offer.
Reichart – speaking in a wide–ranging interview, said: "Now we have a lot of domestic kings in less relevant leagues. You are the kings of your domestic territory but unable to compete with the league next door for the European crowns. For those clubs who are locked in a domestic league with limited potential, and where UEFA is not really a truly open and sustainable second frontier for their ambition, we want to be able to provide more significant earnings on the back of a higher amount of guaranteed matches.
"We want a more predictable, sustainable path within Europe. Even though promotion and relegation should always comply with the sporting merit principle."
And Reichart insists he has talked to Scottish clubs but made sure to stop short of naming those he has held informal discussions with over joining his football revolution. He also claims clubs teams should be allowed to talk to him without fears of recriminations from European football governing body.
He added: "I talked to clubs from Scotland. But I must respect their confidentiality and will fulfil that. It is still the case that the whole system of UEFA is set up to control everything and I really hope that at some stage we will have another discussion about the future of European football. It is striking to me that when clubs made a proposal for an alternative European competition they were threatened with being expelled.
"I think that football deserves a more open dialogue and I can assure you that I have spoken to a lot of people who want to know what we are up to. They want to learn about the court case, they want to know how our plans are evolving, but ask me not to let anybody know because they don’t want calls from UEFA."
