Super League ruling doesn't affect any All-Ireland project

NO IMPLICATIONS: Yesterday’s ECJ outcome on the European Super League doesn’t have any bearing on a potential All-Island league being established.

Yesterday’s ECJ outcome on the European Super League doesn’t have any bearing on a potential All-Island league being established.

The ruling was deemed a boost for the breakaway group as it concluded UEFA and FIFA rules blocking the new competition in 2021 were contrary to EU laws.

Discussions on the FAI and Irish FA leagues merging into a one-island concept have been floated at various points, the most recent in 2019 by Kerry man Kieran Lucid.

Only in the last few weeks details also emerged about a group led by former Galway United manager Kieran Foley – Premier League Ireland Limited – tabling a proposal to the FAI.

According to the US-based Irishman, the model forecasts an accumulation of over $550m in revenue during the initial years of operation, guaranteeing substantial payouts totaling tens of millions to both clubs and players.

Hill, speaking recently, said negotiations failed to progress, noting a non-disclosure agreement had been hatched but the consortium had spoken to six clubs.

He insisted the projections on media rights were ambitious and its progression hinged on a number of parties reaching agreement.

Details of a meeting held last autumn between the FAI and the Department of Sport revealed the CEO had suggested a strategic objective that included ‘development possibilities for an all-island league for women’.

Accordingly, officials from the Government department asserted monies from a Shared Island fund could be accessed to ‘offer opportunities for collaboration with Northern Ireland counterparts’.

Efforts by Ballyheigue native Lucid to gain traction for his independently-costed and analysed project were scuppered by covid-19 but also the attitude of the northern association despite most of their club favouring the proposal.

By consolidating the two divisions into a single entity, a formula on how the European qualification slots are awarded would have to be settled.

As it stands, each league has four representatives every season, one apiece in the Champions League and three Conference League participants.

UEFA had been previously consulted about this challenge but the first priority is achieving a consensus between stakeholders on the island itself, an imperative which remains a work-in-progress.

The ECJ determination, while being trumpeted by the Super League activists, didn’t dilute the jurisdiction of UEFA, merely highlighted procedural deficiencies which must be rectified to align with European laws. That’s required to address their authority but also facilitate imposition of sanctions on rule-breakers.