Who are A22? The sports management company behind the new European Super League proposal

• A22 has proposed a new European Super League format
• The proposal comes after the European Courts ruled that FIFA and UEFA acted against competition law
• IAN LADYMAN: I’d rather watch a match at my local school than watch Man City in the Club World Cup – It’s All Kicking Off

A22 Sports Management company has suggested a new format for a European Super League following a decision by the European Courts.

According to the courts judgement FIFA and UEFA acted against competition law when they put rules in place making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval.

The ruling has been celebrated by both Barcelona and Real Madrid, who were members of the original Super League proposal.

They have also thrown their backing on the new Super League proposal from A22.

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know about the company behind the new Super League idea. 

Bernd Reichart is the ceo of A22 and is heading up their new European Super League proposal

 What is the aim of A22?

The Spanish-based company claim to be committed to bringing solutions to the most pressing issues facing football today.

 A statement on their website reveals A22 ‘was formed to sponsor and assist in the creation of a new European Super League.

‘We recognise European football’s rich heritage and see its potential for a more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable future.

‘We believe club football at European level requires fresh thinking and can be meaningfully improved incorporating a profound respect for the game’s traditions.

‘We are committed to enhancing fan experience across both men’s and women’s football, while ensuring financial sustainability.’

In a press conference ceo Bernd Reichart claimed ‘there is big news today: Football is free. Free from the monopoly of UEFA, free to pursue the best ideas without fear of sanctions and under our proposal, free viewing of all live matches.’

 What are the new European Super League proposals?

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has given his backing to a new European Super League

The new format – which was revealed by A22 CEO Bernd Reichart – will see both a men’s and women’s competition, with 64 teams competing in the men’s and 32 in the women’s.

In term of the men’s competition, the 64 clubs will be split into three separate leagues – star, gold and blue – with the star league the strongest and blue the weakest.

The star and gold leagues will have 16 teams separated into two groups of eight, but the blue league will have 32 clubs, split across four groups of eight.

Each team will be guaranteed 14 matches with everyone playing their group stage opponents home and away on midweek dates between September and April.

The top four clubs from both groups in the gold and star leagues and the top two teams in the four blue groups will then take part in their league’s knockout stages during the spring.

Two-legged quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place, before the winners of each leagues will be crowned following finals at neutral grounds. 

The plan – which is being led by sports consultancy firm A22 – insisted it was ‘based on sporting merit with no permanent members’. 

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As a result, there is promotion and relegation with the bottom team in both groups of the star league being relegated and replaced by the two finalists in the gold league.

This is the same for the blue league finalists, who will replace the teams that finish bottom of each gold group.

There is an even bigger turnover from the blue league, with 20 clubs to leave the competition each season and be replaced by 20 others based on their domestic performances.

All games will be streamed free to air, with the aim of bringing in increased revenue through advertising.

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