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The joined actions of some of the most powerful figures in modern football unwittingly created an ever mightier alliance on April 18, 2021.The announcement of a new European Super League united Manchester, with fans and players of United and City joining those invested in the fortunes of Liverpool and the three London giants of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham in opposition.Although the reaction in Italy and Spain may not have been quite as damning, the protests that followed over the course of an extraordinary few days were enough to derail the plans.A year on, Stats Perform looks back on one of the most controversial proposals in the sports history and where it stands now.What is/was the European Super League?The past week has shown exactly what makes the Champions League great, whether Villarreals upset of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid withstanding Chelseas fightback, a thriller between Liverpool and Benfica in a tie widely considered over or the blood and thunder of Manchester Citys defeat of Atletico Madrid. But Arsenal and Tottenham did not qualify for the Champions League this season, while Barcelona and Milan failed to make it beyond the group stage.In Blank Jersey another season, another superpower the clubs whose names and riches have made the Champions League what it is might mi s out on these great games.That was the fear of a dozen leading sides, anyway. Barca had a prominent role, along with Real Madrid and Juventus, as the European Super League was launched.The competition was to be backed by United States-based investment bank JP Morgan and managed by the owners of the founding clubs, who would be guaranteed entry to the competition.Three clubs were hoped to join the initial 12, followed by five others qualifying each year to form a 20-team tournament, which would be split into two 10-team leagues prior to a knockout stage.The idea was for the Super League to replace the lucrative Champions League, rather than domestic leagues hence its inception on the eve of Champions League reforms. The interested parties even claimed the money raised would benefit the wider football pyramid.But the reception was widely critical, while there were notable absentees in the form of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, the previous campaigns Champions League finalists.PSG had spent too Gregory Polanco Jersey much time and, of course, money establishing themselves among European footballs elite to risk it all in the breakaway.Meanwhile, Bayern, like most German clubs, are partly Felipe Vazquez Jersey fan-owned. And it would soonbecome clear football fans in general were not enthused by the prospect of seeing Europes best teams slog it out in a closed-shop tournament.Then what?The 12 clubs must have imagined some sort of response, but what followed appeared to stun those involved.Their own players and coaches announced opposition, with many frustrated these plans had provided such a distraction at a key stage in the season. Notably, Jurgen Klopp fumed when Leeds United, Liverpools next opponents, told the six-time European champions to earn it if they wanted to play in the Champions League. The rest of football appeared united against those who had sought to cut loose, as former Manchester United captain Gary Neville called for the Old Trafford club to be relegated along with Liverpool and Arsenal.Unsurprisingly, UEFA, FIFA and even the UK government railed against the Super League, too.But most importantly, the fans particularly in England made clear they would not stand for this apparent betrayal of the sport and its roots.Chelsea were the first team to back out of the European Super League while Petr Cech attempted to negotiate with furious supportersblocking the teams entrance to Stamford Bridge prior to a drab goalle s draw against Brighton and Hove Albion.With protests following at stadiums up and down the country, the Premier League clubs soon Adam Frazier Jersey quit the breakaway competition, and they were joined by Inter, Milan and Atletico Madrid, as the Super League was declared dead mere hours after its birth.Football had won, it was widely acknowledged.And they all lived happily ever after?Well, not quite. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus have continued to pursue the European Super League, their owners refusing to relent.The huge debts racked up during the coronavirus pandemic contributed to their desperation to land this lucrative deal, with Barca since forced to let club legend Lionel Me si leave on a free transfer due to their inability to afford anew contract for the 34-year-old.Those who backed out of the controversial plans have at least returned to the European Club A sociation, in which PSG were huge beneficiaries of their reluctance to follow their elite rivals. Na ser Al-Khelaifi, the PSG Sean Rodriguez Jersey president, now leads the ECA in a role that previously belonged to Juve chief Andrea Agnelli.But even Barca, Madrid and Juve have been able to continue playing in UEFA competitions those they have qualified for, anyway. Madrid have made the Champions League semi-finals as they bid for a record-extending 14th European crown. And sceptics could be forgiven for wondering if the new Champions League format sounds a little European Super Leaguey.As of 2024-25, the group stages will be no more, replaced by yes a league. And although the competitionis increasing in size to 36 teams, two of the additional four slots are reserved for clubs who have the highest UEFA coefficients but have qualified only for one of the organisations le ser competitions.Barca, who toiled in the early stages of this season, or Juve, facing a fight for a top-four finish in Serie A, would have to slump significantly not to be a sured of a seat at the time.The Super League is dead but long live the Super League?