West Ham would be included in brand new ‘fairer’ European Super League plans which guarantee 14 games and ‘stability’

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West Ham would be included in brand new ‘fairer’ European Super League plans which guarantee 14 games and ‘stability’.

It is fair to say the infamous ESL plans launched two years ago went down like a lead balloon among football fans across Europe.

West Ham’s “pig six” Premier League rivals Man City, Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and most laughably Spurs were conspiring to break away to the ESL before fans revolted when it came to light.

Those shameless clubs deserted that particular sinking ship pretty sharpish and went completely unpunished.

The closed shop European Super League plans threatened to wreck potential seasons like the ones West Ham have been enjoying as they fought for Champions League and European spots in recent seasons.

It threatened to end fairytale title wins like Leicester’s for good too.

West Ham fans – and supporters of most clubs – watched on with glee as it fell like a house of cards less than 48 hours after being proposed.

Well now it’s back and this time it gives the Hammers something to think about.

West Ham would be included in brand new ‘fairer’ European Super League plans which guarantee 14 games and ‘stability’.

The original ESL plans were effectively a closed shop for Europe’s elite with no promotion, relegation or discernible merit system.

But new plans announced by the competition organisers A22 are for a vastly expanded 80-team, multi-division format with promotion and relegation which would be a major lure for big clubs such as West Ham who have little to no hope of ever making it into the Champions League.

The competition would be based on sporting performance only with no permanent members, according to A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart (Sky Sports).

Teams would be guaranteed a minimum of 14 matches per season, Reichart states.

A22, the company formed to sponsor and assist with the creation of the Super League, is believed to have consulted with West Ham and around 49 other European clubs since October last year and developed 10 principles based on that consultation which underpin its plans for a new-look league.

Reichart wrote: “The foundations of European football are in danger of collapsing.

“It’s time for a change. It is the clubs that bear the entrepreneurial risk in football. But when important decisions are at stake, they are too often forced to sit idly by on the sidelines as the sporting and financial foundations crumble around them.

“Our talks have also made it clear that clubs often find it impossible to speak out publicly against a system that uses the threat of sanctions to thwart opposition.

“Our dialogue was open, honest, constructive and resulted in clear ideas about what changes are needed and how they could be implemented. There is a lot to do and we will continue our dialogue.”

The new plans are a clear play to win the backing of second tier European clubs such as West Ham who felt cast aside by the original proposals.

And it gives the Hammers hierarchy and fans a serious dilemma. This season has proved West Ham will find it difficult to realistically compete for the European spots on a regular basis.

But the new plans would hugely increase their chances of involvement in European football – which supporters have enjoyed immensely over the last two seasons.

That’s not to mention the obvious financial benefits and incentives of being involved in such competitions.

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