Key questions answered on reported plans for new European Premier League
Reports say investors are preparing to put up £4.6billion to launch the new competition.
Reports emerged on Tuesday that clubs across the continent were in discussions over the formation of a European Premier League.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key issues around this highly controversial topic.
What are the details?
Anything else?
Reports suggested it could begin as early as 2022, with up to 18 teams involved.
Who is meant to be part of it?
What have they said?
How can this co-exist with the Champions League?
What about FIFA’s own plans for a Club World Cup?
There is a case for saying these plans would devalue that competition as well, and would therefore seem counter to FIFA’s interests. Once a date for it is finally fixed on the calendar, that is intended to take place in the summer, once every four years. The first was due to be staged in China next summer before the coronavirus pandemic forced it to be indefinitely delayed.
What else has been said?
The Football Supporters’ Association says that if the reports are correct of English clubs’ involvement, it kills off once and for all the idea that the national game can be self-regulated and that “billionaire owners are out of control”.
Why are we hearing about this now?
The timing is no coincidence, in the view of many involved in the continental game. They point to the fact that talks are ongoing regarding the future shape of European competition from 2024, and that these stories always seem to emerge during the negotiation period.
Haven’t we heard all this before?
