La Liga has criticised A22 Sports Management’s Unify League proposal, stating it “threatens the governance of European football”.
The Spanish league’s response comes after A22, the advisory firm previously associated with the controversial European Super League, unveiled plans for a revamped pan-European competition.
A22 unveiled its Unify League concept in an open letter to UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis and FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström, urging cooperation to address major issues in football.
These issues include fan affordability, live match distribution, the growth of women’s football, the format, competitiveness and governance of European club competitions.
However, the proposal has failed to gain the support A22 might have hoped for, with the lingering bad taste from the previously scrapped European Super League still influencing the reception. Leagues, clubs and fans alike remain sceptical, perhaps wary of A22’s intentions.
A La Liga representative commented: “Once again, A22 has presented yet another model of the failed European Super League, now called Unify League.
“A project that threatens the governance of European football by seeking to follow a handful of big clubs for their own benefit, promoting a broadcast rights commercialisation model that would benefit only a few elitist clubs and destroy the economy of national leagues.
“The project continues to lack support from clubs, federations, players, fans, national governments and European institutions.”
One of the main reasons for A22’s proposal was the December 2023 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
The court determined that UEFA’s monopoly over European club competitions violated EU competition law. It found UEFA’s pre-authorisation rules, which prevented third parties from launching alternative tournaments, were judged anti-competitive.
This decision confirmed the right of clubs and promoters like A22 to create new European competitions, free from UEFA and FIFA’s control. The ruling also highlighted UEFA’s conflict of interest, as it both regulates and operates these tournaments.
Despite promises of improved governance, the Premier League shared the same stance as La Liga on the Unify League. The lack of funding and public support from clubs and leagues further indicates that this competition lacks the necessary backing to succeed.
Supporters have been vocal in warning club owners not to engage with the Unify League. Their strong opposition to the European Super League in 2021 led to several clubs apologising and withdrawing from the project, fuelled by overwhelming fan and media backlash in England particularly, highlighting the influence of fan sentiment.
As the conversation progresses, A22 will undoubtedly attempt to stress the differences between this idea from the European Super League.
According to the letter, the Unify League is proposed as a competition alongside domestic leagues, promising free broadcasting for fans. It aims to replace the UEFA Champions League rather than interfere with domestic competitions, a major point of contention for UEFA as the competition is its main revenue driver
Insider Sport has contacted several Premier League clubs and other European leagues to understand their stance on the Unify League.
