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Chelsea confirm European Super League stance with statement on new proposals

Chelsea have released a statement confirming their position has not changed regarding the European Super League after new proposals were brought forward on Thursday

21 Dec 2023, 18:17 by Bobby Vincent · football.london

Chelsea have released a statement after new proposals were put forward by the European Court of Justice over the European Super League. In the statement, the club have confirmed their stance has not changed from when they pulled out of the initial plans in April 2021.

"The judgement issued today by the European Court of Justice does not change Chelsea FC’s position," the statement read. "We firmly believe that, by working with the Premier League, The FA, other European clubs through our strong relationship with the ECA, and with UEFA and FIFA, we can, together, continue to develop the European game for the benefit of everyone."

Earlier today, it was announced that a new 64-team format will include no permanent members after it was deemed by the European Court of Justice that FIFA and UEFA's blocking of the competition being created was unlawful. However, several clubs now, including Chelsea, have confirmed their stances are unchanged.

The initial plan for the European Super League was met by nation-wide fury back in April 2021. Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea then all pulled out of the plans.

Today (Thursday), at the time of writing, the majority, but not all, of the aforementioned clubs have released statements where they reveal their position has not changed despite the new proposals. The new proposal, though, looks very different.

It will include leagues for both men's and women's football. In its previous plans, there was no talk of women's football being involved. There would be leagues, too, where there would be promotion and relegation – again, something not spoken about last time.

The format would include a three-tiered competition with 16 teams in each of the top two tiers; the 'Star League' and the 'Gold League'. The third tier, the 'Blue League' would include 32 clubs with promotion and relegation between the divisions.

Each club would play home and away matches in groups of 8 resulting in a minimum of 14 matches per year until the end of the season where a knockout stage will determine both the champions of each league and clubs to be promoted. The Super League project also claims there is an aim for there to be no increase in match calendar days 'beyond those contemplated by existing competitions' and that any midweek matches wouldn't interfere with other domestic competitions that might be played on the same days.

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