CVC Capital Partners has held talks with FIFA and Real Madrid about funding the creation of "ambitious" new global tournaments. CVC is holding discussions with FIFA about "acquiring the commercial rights to the revamped Club World Cup." Separately, CVC and other corporate groups have reportedly been approached by Real Madrid about "creating a new club league contest." Real Madrid’s desire is to create an annual rival to the Club World Cup "featuring top clubs around the world." A source said that an option under consideration is "creating two leagues of 20 teams each." Real Madrid "declined to comment on detailed questions," but said that club President Florentino Pérez has "never spoken to CVC’s head of media and sport" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 12/5).
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin on Friday "led an outcry" against Real Madrid's proposal. Ceferin said, "I have read about this insane plan. It would be hard to think of a more selfish and egotistical scheme." One leading English soccer exec said that it was a "mad idea that needs to be treated with disdain," while a top official at a leading Italian team said, "If you keep challenging the way clubs are playing, you will have a backlash" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 12/6). CVC and FIFA did "not immediately respond to a request for comment" (REUTERS, 12/5).
Moving forward, the "outlines of a European super league could be closer than before," with financing "in the works and the clout of Real Madrid backing the venture." Additionally, officials are "beginning to sketch the framework of the new global soccer calendar that will take effect" after '24. Some clubs have been told that, according to projections, they could "expect to double their revenues by leaving their domestic leagues to join" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/6).
