Champions League trophy
Champions League trophy (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
A new threat to UEFA's European football structure, the proposal of the European Super League, has emerged, according to reports, and it could have an impact on Aston Villa if they continue to qualify for Europe. The Unity League, which is now surfacing over three and a half years after the Super League was first put forwards before it was forced to back down as clubs began to condemn it.
The Telegraph reports that Spanish company A22 Sports, who were involved in the Super League, are organising this new Unity League and that they would make the matches themselves free to air through a streaming service, on the basis that there is a premium subscription option in which people can pay to watch without adverts which will otherwise help to fund it.
A22 are now set to ask UEFA for an endorsement and permission to proceed with producing the competition, which will involve four tiers and 96 teams from across Europe, that number being 12 fewer than the total of sides which currently compete across the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League.
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The top 16 sides would take part in either the Star League or the Gold League, both split into two groups of eight and 14 matches to be played per side. The top two in each of the four groups would then proceed to the quarter finals, which are played out over two legs, then semi-finals in a neutral venue which take place the same week as the final. The other Leagues are named Blue and Union and they'd follow the same format.
Co-founder of A22, John Hahn, told the Telegraph: “We have listened intently to a broad group of clubs, leagues and fans and with these changes believe we have a lot of support. We are not expecting the public support of clubs at this time, logically that will come following the official recognition of the Unify League.” It's said that the subscription costs would be 'meaningfully cheaper' than it is to supporters today.
Villa have spent the last two seasons in Europe under Unai Emery; he guided the club back to the continent for the first time in 40 years in 2023, when they qualified for the Conference League on the final day of the season. They then last year finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League, in which they're in a strong position to progress to the last 16 of the competition.
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