The Unify League (UL), (previously known as the European Super League), abbreviated as ESL or Super League, is a proposed seasonal football competition for clubs in Europe. It is organised by the A22 Sports Management, a commercial enterprise created to rival or replace the UEFA Champions League.[2] The initial iteration of the league entailed 20 teams, with 15 of them being founding members of the competition.[3]
The European Super League announcement in April 2021 was met with significant backlash from various groups: fans,[5] players, managers and football clubs.[6] The league also faced opposition from UEFA, FIFA and some national governments.[7] Critics of the league raised concerns regarding potential exclusivity and reduced competitiveness within the ESL, as the league would consist of high-ranking teams from selected European countries who would be permanent contestants in a semi-closed league format.[8]
The backlash against the announcement of the league's plans resulted in nine of the clubs that were supposed to participate, including all six English clubs, announcing their intention to withdraw.[9] However, eight clubs maintain a degree of involvement in the project as stakeholders.[10] In April 2021, the ESL announced that it was suspending its operations,[11] and a legal dispute followed.[12] National courts have ruled that FIFA and UEFA must not interfere with the development of the ESL.[13][14]
In October 2022, A22 Sports Management, a company formed to "sponsor and assist" in the creation of the European Super League, announced it would be exploring plans to relaunch the competition.[15][16] On 21 December 2023, the European Court of Justice issued a ruling that a ban on the ESL could be in conflict with certain European Union regulations.[17]
On 17 December 2024, A22 Sports Management announced that proposals were sent to FIFA and UEFA under the new name Unify League. With the changed concept, the annual placements of the clubs in the national leagues should be a prerequisite for participation. Unify is the name of a new streaming platform that is supposed to broadcast the league's games.
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