On April 19, 2021, 12 of the top European soccer clubs shocked the world when they announced the joining of a new “Super League.” 

By creating the Super League, AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Tottenham (CBSSports.com), would all leave UEFA, an established European soccer association. In UEFA, these clubs, along with numerous other European teams, would play matches against each other in two different leagues— the Champions League and the Europa League. In order to qualify for either league, the teams needed to have finished in a top percentile of their national league. For example, in La Liga, the top Spanish national league, teams need to finish in the top four to make the UEFA Champions League and fifth to qualify for the UEFA Europa League. In addition, the team that finishes sixth is put in a pool of other teams that will play matches against each other to qualify for the UEFA Europa League. At the end of the season, whichever teams finish in those places qualify for the UEFA leagues, and then the qualifications start all over again the next season. 

Soccer fans across the world were extremely disappointed by the announcement of the Super League. Many fans expressed across social media their negative opinions on the Super League. 

The major reason for this is that the teams that founded the Super League would be locked into a spot in the competition, despite not earning it. For example, Leicester City is currently fourth in the English Premier League, ahead of Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal— all of which are members of the Super League. If the Super League were to continue, Leicester City would not get a spot in the tournament, whereas the other clubs would, despite having a worse record. 

Between the negative reaction of the fans and players on the participating teams, many clubs decided to leave the Super League, going back on their original decision. 

Realizing that the Super League was actually a bad idea, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan have asked out of the Super League. In addition, FC Barcelona is rumored to be close to asking out of the Super League. AC Milan and Juventus have also been rumored to be asking out of the Super League, but did not confirm that in statements released by the clubs. 

With only Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, and Juventus the only teams left in the Super League (with three of the four rumored to want out), it appears that there is not much life left in the idea. Only time will tell for the European Super League.