FAI weighs in on Super League decision from "elite clubs"
Sport

FAI weighs in on Super League decision from "elite clubs"

THE FAI has said that it is not in favour of the Super League.

The Football Association of Ireland has become the latest organisation to condemn the idea of a European Super League.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, it said that the forming of said league would jeopardise the "integrity of the game", and that it cannot be considered.

FAI President Gerry McAnaney said: "I have confirmed to UEFA that we stand with them in their stance against this Super League proposal. The integrity of the game is at stake here and such an elitist competition cannot be considered."

The FAI is however in favour of proposed changes to club competitions which were recently approved by UEFA.

These changes will take the total number of teams from 32 to 36 in the UEFA Champions League, and the biggest change will see a transformation from the traditional group stage to a single league stage including all participating teams.

Every club will now be guaranteed a minimum of 10 league stage games against 10 different opponents (five home games, five away) rather than the previous six matches against three teams, played on a home and away basis.

The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the knockout stage, while the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their path to the last 16 of the competition.

Similar format changes will also be applied to the UEFA Europa League (8 matches in the league stage) and UEFA Europa Conference League (6 matches in the league stage). Subject to further discussions and agreements, these two competitions may also be expanded to a total of 36 teams each in the league stage.

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill remarked: "I said to Zoran then and I repeat now that whilst we recognise this may cause some local challenges for certain Federations in terms of scheduling, we believe that the now agreed approach is essential for the future of UEFA, the wider European football pyramid structure and the future financial health of all European constituents including Associations such as the FAI who will continue to benefit from that pyramid and from key UEFA solidarity payments which have been maintained during difficult recent times for football."