AST writes to Arsenal to register opposition to propopals for a 'European Super League'

The AST has today sent the following letter to Arsenal football club registering our opposition to proposals for a European Super League and to set out some core principles that any changes to the structure of European Football must address.

The full letter is set out below. We are pleased that Arsenal responded immediately and told us that they do not support the current proposals and that they fully endorse this statement issued by the Premier League.

The AST will continue to make representations to UEFA, the Premier League and Arsenal on this issue and will push for any changes to reflect the core principles set out below. We also believe that the views of fans must be heard on this issue and welcome the Premier league recognising this in their statement.

Vinaie Venkatesham

Managing Director

Arsenal Football Club

75 Drayton Park
London
N5 1BU

4 June 2019

Dear Vinai

We are writing to you as Arsenal is a member of the European Club Association (ECA) and later this week it has an important get together. The issue we are raising is the current debate about the possible restructuring of European football towards proposals often described as creating a ‘European super league’ which would have enormous implications for how football is structured.

It is very important that the views of supporters are at the forefront of this debate when changes are considered.

We therefore thought it important to outline our views on the reported proposals so that the club is aware of the AST’s opposition, and indeed the widespread supporter opposition, to these plans.

At a meeting of Premier League fan groups convened by the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) in May 2019 there was a discussion on this subject and unanimous support for the following six principles to be followed if any reorganisation is to take place.

Key principles for the reorganisation of European Football Competitions:

1. Promotion and relegation based on sporting performance - from the bottom of the pyramid to qualification for Europe
2. No to closed leagues or franchise football – qualify on results, not through history or heritage
3. Weekends are for domestic leagues – protect fan culture, home and away. No live broadcasts on Saturdays at 3:00pm
4. We want competitive leagues – no to even more concentration of wealth and on-going domination by a fixed few top clubs
5. Domestic football comes first – protect the pyramid and cup competitions
6. Share the wealth – money from elite football should be shared across the whole game

At the meeting referred to above there was unanimous opposition to the current proposals being championed by some ECA clubs that have been widely reported in the media. These proposals would breach all of the key principles set out above.

The AST is encouraged that the Premier League say they are against these proposals and we would welcome a confirmation from Arsenal that the club will not support these proposals nor others that are similar in nature.

We would also welcome your views and Arsenal’s position on the six principles set out above.

There is a meeting of Fans Europe to discuss this issue on 4 July 2019 which the AST will be attending. We would welcome further dialogue with you ahead of this meeting.

We look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely

Steve Cooper

Secretary AST

The Arsenal Supporters' Society Ltd, trading as the Arsenal Supporters' Trust, is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.