Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed he is working on a proposal to launch a more lucrative pan-European league where qualification is based on merit.
The European Super League was heavily protested by fans of most European clubs back in April, so much so, that only three of the founding twelve clubs – Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid - are still interested in making the idea a reality.
Whilst De Laurentiis doesn’t agree with the Super League’s proposal to invite teams regardless of their domestic performance, he does think the current system needs changing.
“The system doesn't work anymore,” he told Sportsmail, via the Daily Mail.
“The Champions and Europa League don't generate sufficient income for the clubs to justify participating in it.
“To be competitive, you need more top-class players. That means you have to spend more money — and the prize money from the European competitions doesn't account for that.
“That is why the clubs need to speak to each other to come up with a more modern and lucrative tournament for everyone in it.”
De Laurentiis has given thought to his new proposal and believes that teams should have to qualify by playing well in their domestic leagues, although his suggestion that the number of clubs competing in domestic leagues be reduced may not go down well with everyone.
“We need to reduce the number of games by reducing the size of the top divisions across Europe,” he added.
“Also, we create a European league with a democratic system of entry, based on what teams achieve in their domestic competitions.
“I have examined a project ready to bring €10billion (£8.5billion) to the European game, but we need willingness and total independence.
'If we don't change the rules of the game and make it a better spectacle, young people will abandon us and football will no longer be the central part of our lives.”
It will be interesting to see how his idea is perceived by the public. It would certainly appear to be an improvement on the Super League fiasco, but many will still want to retain the status quo.
