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European Super League chief claims competition could launch in 2024

European Super League chief claims competition could launch in 2024
© Reuters
The chief executive of the company behind the failed European Super League claims that the tournament could be launched for the 2024-25 season.

The chief executive of the company behind the European Super League has claimed that the failed competition could be launched by the start of the 2024-25 season.

Twelve clubs initially signed up to become part of the breakaway league in April 2021, including Arsenal, Chelsea Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid also voiced their desire to sign up for the project, which led to swathes of backlash from all corners.

Fans, players, pundits and journalists expressed their opposition to the plans, leading to protests outside stadiums, and clubs dropped out one by one in the period of a few hours.

However, Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all still in favour of a European Super League, and Bernd Reichart of A22 Sports Management believes that 2024 is a realistic target for the tournament to be launched.

Manchester United fans hold an anti Super League banner outside Old Trafford as twelve of Europe's top football clubs launch a breakaway Super League© Reuters

"That might be the first reasonable and realistic call but there are so many variables that I can't actually foresee. That is probably the first realistic call," Reichart told the PA News Agency when asked if 2024 was a probable target.

Furthermore, Reichart has affirmed that the Super League will not immediately need the input of English clubs to be successful, adding: "I am aware of what the English clubs stated a year and a half ago, but I hope the whole football community is appreciating the approach to continue to care and try to come up with solutions.

"Initially the dialogue can work without them (English clubs). I will talk to clubs in other countries but this is not an exclusive initiative at all, it is an inclusive initiative.

"Of course the situation of the English clubs and the Premier League is a strong example of how attractive a club-run competition could actually look like and what difference it makes if you have the best playing each other week after week in a way. I would love to have their point of view as well."

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been a consistent supporter of plans for the European Super League, and the 75-year-old claimed earlier this month that football is "sick" and "needs" the competition.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez pictured in September 2019© Reuters

"To fix a problem, you have to first recognise that you have a problem. Our sport is sick. It is losing its leadership as a global sport," Perez said at Real Madrid's recent AGM.

"We mustn't be confused by the impact of Real Madrid's European Cup run when we were involved in seven games of the highest intensity and interest.

"That was the result of the draw, and of the quality and greatness of our team. It was a spectacle that helped bring excitement back to the viewers. That's why we believe European competitions must change, to offer fans top-level games year-round between the strongest teams, with the best players competing.

"'In football, we've only played Liverpool nine times in 67 years. We've played Chelsea four times in the history of the European Cup. What sense does it make to deprive fans of all these games?"

UEFA is said to have received a letter from A22 Sports Management, which has been brought in to assist the delivery of the European Super League.

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez pictured in September 2019
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