UEFA chiefs are getting increasingly nervous about the legal battle surrounding the European Super League.
And a new, revised version could yet include a proposal to Scottish Old Firm giants Celtic and Rangers because they would be seen as a huge draw for any future breakaway. But it would effectively freeze out Premier League clubs unless a new compromise competition could be found.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are still locked into a court case - which is likely to be concluded in December - as they are challenging UEFA’s control and monopoly on European football after they blocked the ESL.
The three superpowers are determined to press ahead with their legal action as they are fed-up of UEFA having too much power, effectively being the governors of the game but also the main commercial partners while the clubs take all the risk.
There is also a growing feeling throughout the rest of Europe that the Premier League has become too powerful, too strong and their multi-billion TV deals makes it impossible for La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga to compete.
UEFA have already proposed a new-look Champions League from 2024 and they may win the legal case but even if Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus do not win they may get a partial judgement in their favour which would reopen the prospect of a revised breakaway.
While Premier League chiefs are confident the ESL is over for English clubs, that will not stop the rebels trying to attract the likes of Ajax and Celtic plus Rangers because it will be about crowds and popularity as well as driving audiences and giant clubs.
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UEFA remain committed to their new set-up and are adamant the European Clubs’ Association is on board but the reality is that many of the problems - most notably power and finance which led to the ESL in the first place - are still an issue.
It is also worth remembering that the ESL was not greeted with such horror in the rest of Europe as it was in England. In fact, it was seen as a positive among fans of several big clubs in other countries but could not proceed once the Premier League Big Six were forced to pull out.
The ESL masterplan still rumbles on in the background and whether they could attract different clubs remains to be seen because of the huge fall out last time.
But top European clubs remain deeply concerned that they are losing ground on the Premier League with each passing season and every TV deal.
