European football has been placed on red alert amid the 'rebel three''s latest move to make their botched Super League a reality.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus remain defiant over their desire to breathe new life into a breakaway competition and now affiliate company A22 have announced the appointment of leading German TV bigwig Bernd Reichart as their new CEO. The La Liga giants and the Serie A big-hitters refuse to give up on a rival to the Champions League despite the disastrous coup being met with condemnation from world football in April 2021.
The 'big six' from the English Premier League were forced into retreat with the £4.5billion event collapsing under its own bluster. Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were against it, while the likes of Celtic, Rangers and a host of European names outwith Spain, England and Italy watched on as the power grab spectacularly failed. UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin condemned the mutineers but there was a belief the architects of the plot remained unbowed despite backing down.
And that has proven true with Madrid and Barcelona's presidents Florentino Perez and Joan Laporta refusing to bail on their dream by giving their private members club the kiss of life. Both have vocalised their long-held belief that a breakaway tournament remains a necessity while Juventus back their cause.
The 'rebel three' - dubbed by their detractors - have given their clearest indication they are ready to come again and get European football's biggest names back onside with the appointment of Reichart. He will be the figurehead to lead their second attempt at a game-changing coup.
The Telegraph report there will be a shift in tact this time around with the big-hitters in the European Super League camp willing to rethink the original 12-team format - with the potential of solidarity payments likely to be on offer when proposals are made public.
The German media executive also believes the Premier League's club-run model is a good example for the European Super League - now expanded to 20 teams - to follow.
Asked if the 2024-25 season was the earliest the failed project could start up again, Reichart told the PA news agency: "That might be the first reasonable and realistic call but there are so many variables that I can't actually foresee. That is probably the first realistic call."
New chief executive Reichart added: "First, yes, there has been an important reassessment and the concept is spreading out about openness and taking the permanent membership off the table.
"I can say the three clubs have credibly reassessed and taken some learnings from the first approach. I believe there is no reason not to engage in an open dialogue but we shall see. I am aware of what the English clubs stated a year and a half ago but I hope the whole football community is appreciating the approach to continue to care and try to come up with solutions.
"Initially the dialogue can work without them (English clubs). I will talk to clubs in other countries but this is not an exclusive initiative at all, it is an inclusive initiative. Of course the situation of the English clubs and the Premier League is a strong example of how attractive a club-run competition could actually look like and what difference it makes if you have the best playing each other week after week in a way.
"I would love to have their point of view as well, let's see. Let's kick it off today."
A resolution is expected for by spring time in 2023 but Reichart insisted: "My message (to UEFA) would be an invitation for dialogue as well. We did send them a letter. I think, just like a year and a half ago, it will remain unanswered but let's see if they understand that dialogue is necessary and that we are not against anybody, but in favour of a lot of things. We are open to pick up their phone call.
"We believe that there has to be a new landscape, regulatory landscape. We believe that clubs who are bearing all the investments and running the industry have to have a say about their competition. They have no direct vote as of today.
"There are two (votes) out of 20, via the ECA (European Club Association), which is in a way tied into UEFA anyway. This is something that is not right. It is logical that clubs, who actually on a domestic level are part of a diverse model of self-governance are raising their hands saying we need to do better, we can do better and we should have the serenity to run our own destiny."
And 48-year-old Reichart, speaking after his appointment, said: "The presidents of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona and the chairman of Juventus FC have recently outlined their views on the issues facing the sport. I believe they are asking the right questions and I'm personally keen to listen to many diverse voices so that the European Football community can jointly find the right answers."
The latest moves by the remaining ESL rebels comes ahead of the Champions League revamp which is set to kick off in 2024/25. The tournament will increase to 36 teams from 32, more games and siphon spots for historical European names who haven't qualified through their league positions.
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