Martin Thorpe Soccer
Arsenal and Manchester United stepped into line last week by agreeing to discontinue talks with the proposed Super League and seek change to Europe’s club competitions through official channels.
All 20 Premiership clubs agreed the same rules after meeting to hear Gerhard Aigner, United European Football Association’s (Uefa) general secretary, assure them that changes would be made to the three European competitions in order to guarantee participating clubs more money.
Media Partners, the group behind the controversial alternative proposals for change, the European Football League (EFL), addressed the meeting but were told only that its plans would be considered, along with others, by a Uefa working party.
“We start with a blank piece of paper to find a solution to satisfy everyone involved,” said the Premier League’s chief executive, Peter Leaver, who is also a member of the working party. “We rule no idea in or out that might include Media Partners. Though Uefa says it is not going to allow anyone to run their competitions, that doesn’t mean they can’t listen to ideas.”
Although the Premiership clubs unanimously agreed that any changes should be made within Uefa, and unanimously opposed the idea of a breakaway, that is no longer Media Partners’s aim. It wants to work with Uefa and must now further tweak their plans to try to win some role in the official revolution.
“There are going to be substantial changes to the Champions League and the two cups,” admitted Leaver. “I think we will end up with two competitions, the most obvious suggestion being the merging of the Uefa Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup.
“What Premiership clubs want is to be involved in European competition for longer each season. They shouldn’t run the risk of being knocked out in September or October as they do now. And they want more money for competing. They share those aspirations with clubs throughout Europe.
“But this has to be done within the parameters of domestic competitions, which remain the bread and butter, and the dates available.”
Aigner admitted that changes were necessary, said Leaver. “He told the meeting that Uefa understood what the clubs’ concerns were and he believed Uefa would be able to allay a substantial number of them.”
Uefa’s close liaison with the leagues on this issue represents a personal triumph for Leaver, who has been at the forefront of the clubs’ campaign to have their voice heard by European football’s governing body.
“To have Media Partners has been a very useful stick with which to beat Uefa,” admitted Leaver. “The shape of European football and television has changed so much recently that it was inevitable there would be a change in the nature of competitions.”
The Premiership clubs were also agreed that entry for European competition should be based solely on the previous season’s performance. Media Partners was offering a three-year guaranteed membership to some clubs. Ironically, the Uefa working party will discuss wildcard entry.
The task force’s first meeting is in Geneva on Monday week. It will report to the Uefa executive on October 6 pending consultation with all European clubs and major leagues prior to finalising plans by December 10 or 11.
Media Partners, still bullish yesterday, said: “The Premier League was very keen to be involved in the EFL project. We are happy to welcome them into the discussions.”