A22 have announced the new Super League format with ‘participation based on sporting merit’ three divisions, promotions and relegations.
A22, the company behind the Super League announced on Thursday a new format for an alternative European competition after the ECJ said UEFA and FIFA are abusing a dominant position.
“The cornerstone remains the ten principles we published last February but a couple of those are worth repeating,” said A22 CEO Bernd Reichart.
“Participation will be based on sporting merit; there will be no permanent members, and clubs will remain committed to their domestic leagues.”
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So, how will the Super League work?
It will be an open system with promotion and relegation and two stages: the league stage and the knockout stage.
There will be 64 participating clubs divided into three leagues: Star, Gold and Blue.
Star and gold leagues have 16 clubs divided into two groups of eight. The Blue League will have 32 clubs split into four groups of eight.
During the league stage, from September to April, clubs meet twice, home and away, so they play at least 14 matches per club.
The top four clubs in each group in the Star and Gold League and the top two in each of the Blue League qualify for the knock-out round starting with a quarter-final. Quarter and semi-finals consist of two-legged knock-out rounds, home and away. Final on neutral round.
Promotions, relegation and exit from the competition happen each season.
The clubs finishing at the bottom of the Star League groups will be relegated and replaced by the Gold League finalists. The same system applies to the Gold and Blue League. In the Blue League, 20 out of the 32 clubs will leave the competition and be replaced by clubs, based on their domestic league performance. Games are played mid-week.
A22 said “This format will guarantee openness, competitive tension and success based on sporting merit. One competition for all clubs, all players and all fans.”
Reichart said the process of qualification to the Blue League “is a critical element of the format” and “at this point, more work and dialogue with clubs and leagues is necessary to work out on necessary details.”
However, he insisted that “Promotions should be equally open for all leagues and should be determined based upon clubs domestic performance.”