KAMPALA – Continental soccer governing body – Caf is considering creating an ‘African Super League’ despite the failure of a similar project in Europe, recently.
‘We have been following the attempts by some top European clubs to form a Euro Super League and will learn from their experience and pitfalls,’ Caf said in a statement on Monday.
Patrice Motsepe, president of Caf, said that an African Super League, inspired by the European project, should ‘contribute to African soccer in becoming competitive.’
Despite the failure of the project in Europe, Motsepe – is in favour of the creation of an African Super League.
“We are evaluating and are in preliminary talks to launch an inclusive, widely supported and beneficial Caf African Super League,” he said.
African soccer’s governing body is looking for additional revenue and Patrice Motsepe said such a project should ‘contribute to African soccer in becoming competitive and self-sustaining.”
The South African, who took office last March, assured that Caf has ‘observed the attempts of some big European clubs to form a Euro Super League and will learn from their experience and pitfalls.’
The idea for continental super leagues, across the world was first suggested by Fifa president Gianni Infantino as a need to improve the game – especially in making it financially viable.
“We are assessing and in preliminary discussions to start an inclusive and broadly supported and beneficial Caf African Super League,” he said in a statement.
Infantino first raised the idea in 2019 saying it would comprise 20 permanent member clubs plus other that would qualify via regional competitions, predicting the Super League would have the potential to generate a revenue of $3 billion over a five-year cycle.
Motsepe said Caf believes the new competitions would generate additional income for itself and its member associations and ‘also contribute to African football in becoming globally competitive and self-sustaining.”
“There is a poor perception of Caf concerning its adherence to governance, auditing, ethical, financial and management good practices,” he said.
“These negative perceptions may, to some extent, be confirmed by the incriminating and damning audit which identified irregular, unethical and improper transactions and conduct.”
Motsepe, who replaced Ahmad Ahmad after his predecessor was banned for fraud, said he was committed to ensuring that this would not happen again.
“Caf should be seen as a body that adheres to good governance, ethics and financial and management best practices,” he said.
“It is also important that the quality of [our] competitions are globally competitive and appealing to spectators, viewers and interested parties in Africa and globally.”
Motsepe said steps would be taken to improve stadiums, refereeing and introduce VAR.
Two years ago, Caf scrapped a $1bn television and marketing rights deal with Lagardere Sports and are now in a legal wrangle, which has seen several broadcasters stop showing its content.
“The issues relating to Caf and its media and broadcasting rights are also receiving serious attention as this is an important source of funding,” Motsepe added.
