How Will the Super League Effect Premier League Clubs Like Leicester City ?

By ETHAN FARMER

It was recently announced 12 European clubs had signed up to the “Super League”. Out of those 12 clubs, six are English – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham. These 12 clubs plus three more who are yet to be announced, will be known as the founding clubs. This will leave five spots in the league for other clubs to compete annually.

Each club would receive a reported £310 million to join the new competition, committing them to 18-23 European fixtures per season.

The announcement has seen many protests against the new competition. This has seen fans gather outside stadiums in large numbers with banners. Leeds United players wore t-shirts which said “football is for the fans” in their warmup for their home match against Liverpool.

It is obvious the change it would have on the clubs competing, but how would it affect the clubs who aren’t in it?

Leicester City missed out on Champions League football last season after a poor second half of the season. This wouldn’t have been an issue for the Foxes if the ‘top 6’ weren’t in the league. In fact, Leicester would have secured another Premier League title following their fairy tale 2015/16 season.

This would have given the club a huge financial boost due to the Champions League qualification. These extra funds could have gone straight back into the squad as fans wish to see a Jamie Vardy heir and a new right winger walk through the door.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Premier League said: “The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.

“The Premier League is proud to run a competitive and compelling football competition that has made it the most widely watched league in the world. Our success has enabled us to make an unrivalled financial contribution to the domestic football pyramid.

“A European Super League will undermine the appeal of the whole game and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs, and all those in football who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.

“We will work with fans, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity and future prospects of English football in the best interests of the game.”

Since the announcement that the English clubs have pulled out of the deal, it is unclear if they will be punished for signing up to it in the first place. Leicester City currently occupying third spot in the league, a point ahead of Chelsea and West Ham who are fourth and fifth respectively who they also have a game in hand on. With Manchester United and Manchester City the only clubs ahead of them, any punishments handed out to the sides who signed up to the Super League will benefit Leicester City greatly.

However, this all may not matter due to the Champions League’s new format which is set to come into play for the 2024/25 season. Although the competition would expand, seeing four extra sides join, the qualifying would be different.

The rules for the Premier League’s top four going into the competition would remain the same. However, it would also consider the club’s “pedigree” in European competitions. This could mean that if the rules were in play this season, Arsenal could leapfrog West Ham into a more advantageous position for European football. This is because the Gunners have more “pedigree” due to them getting to, and losing, three finals.

Leicester City lack much history in Europe which could put the club at a disadvantage for qualifying in the future.

We want YOUR views… what do Leicester City fans believe the future of club and European Football COULD be… COMMENT YOUR VIEWS !

Report by : Ethan Farmer

Twitter: @EthanFarmer_