Less than two years after the European Super League launched and collapsed in the space of two days, a revamped pan-European competition is once again being proposed by sports development company A22 Sports Management.
These latest proposals, as A22 announced on Thursday, expand the number of clubs involved from the original 20 to between 60 and 80 teams in an 'open, multi-divisional competition' and guaranteeing each club involved 14 fixtures every season. There are also no more permanent members with participation, as is the case in UEFA 's existing competitions, determined by 'annual sporting merit'.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur made up a quarter of the founding dozen members back in April 2021, alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as Spanish sides Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid, plus Italian teams AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus. All but three of those clubs (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus, the trio who reportedly remain pushing to put these plans in place) withdrew from the competition within 48 hours of its public announcement.
READ MORE: New European Super League format pitched with major effect on Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs
Why did the original ESL fail?
Primarily, because the six Premier League clubs involved were pressured to - and subsequently did - withdraw from the competition within the space of 48 hours. Chelsea, who played Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on the same day that their involvement ended, were the first team to signal their intent to withdraw by preparing documentation before later confirming in a statement that they had "begun the formal procedures for withdrawal" following protests from supporters outside of the stadium, which saw kick-off delayed by 15 minutes.
By that time, Man City had already confirmed they had "formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans" for the competition. Liverpool and Manchester United soon followed suit.
In an open letter to supporters, Arsenal apologised and admitted that they had "made a mistake", adding their withdrawal was done after listening to their fans and the "wider football community". While Spurs chairman Daniel Levy expressed regret at the "anxiety and upset" by the proposal.
Key concerns from supporters with the original proposals was the lack of sporting merit, with the majority of the league being made up of permanent members and also the absence of relegation as is the case in the football pyramids across Europe.
In the new proposals, A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart claims that the company have "spoken to nearly 50 European clubs and other football stakeholders" dating back to last October when dialogue was first opened. The majority of those spoken to are said to share their stance that "the very foundation of European football is under threat".
READ NEXT:
Graham Potter can field dream Chelsea line-up vs West Ham United with Joao Felix set to return
Napoli chief reveals Victor Osimhen £107m transfer stance amid Chelsea and Man United interest
Todd Boehly sent clear Lionel Messi transfer warning amid ambitious Chelsea plan
The six Chelsea players who will step up for Graham Potter in the second half of the season
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
