Will Manchester City’s FFP Case Spark New Super League Discussions? Danny Mills Cites LIV Golf as a Warning
Manchester City’s ongoing Financial Fair Play (FFP) troubles have thrown spending rules back into the spotlight. This situation has led some to wonder if talks about a European Super League might resurface. Former City defender Danny Mills shared his views with GOAL, explaining why the Super League concept still faces major challenges. He also pointed to the failed LIV Golf venture as a cautionary tale for football.
The Super League Plan and Its Fallout
In early 2021, news broke that 12 elite clubs planned to form their own breakaway competition. This league was supposed to eventually feature 20 teams, including the Premier League’s heavyweights: Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham.
The proposed 'Big Six' faced fierce opposition from fans, leading to the collapse of the project. Still, the idea lingers, with clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus reluctant to abandon it completely.
One key hurdle for those thinking of leaving UEFA and FIFA is that players in such leagues would lose eligibility for international tournaments, making player transfers difficult.
On the flip side, leaving could remove FFP and squad registration rules, allowing wealthy owners to spend without limits. City now battles 114 FFP charges, with serious penalties looming.
If City decided to break away from the Premier League and FA, could this push them back toward Super League talks?
Why Players Would Reject a European Super League
When asked, Danny Mills explained the difficulty of the idea. He said, “FIFA must approve your competition for players to be eligible internationally. Without FIFA's blessing, no player can compete in World Cups or European Championships.”
Mills added that while club success is important, players crave international glory, which offers lifelong recognition and honors like knighthoods. “You may forget who won the Champions League in 2017 but everyone remembers World Cup winners,” he said.
He believes the Super League lacks staying power. Attempts by Saudi Arabia and China to create similar competitions haven’t succeeded. The best players will always want to play internationally.
LIV Golf as a Lesson in Breakaway Leagues
Other sports have tried independent leagues, like LIV Golf, which attracted top talent with big contracts and a new format. Yet, it’s now in bankruptcy talks, trying to secure fresh funding.
Asked about parallels between LIV and a Super League, Mills commented, “It hasn’t gone well. They found a short-term fix that quickly collapsed because it’s not entertaining.”
He stressed that sport thrives on unpredictability, with real competition, wins, and losses. The English football pyramid's relegation and promotion system keeps things intense and exciting. Without such stakes, leagues become dull.
Mills noted changes in the Championship play-offs aim to keep competition alive longer in the season. He warned that without threat of relegation or chance of European qualification, games lose meaning, and fans lose interest.
“If a Super League has no jeopardy and only a few teams matter late in the season, people won’t watch,” Mills said. “We all watch sport for the tension and drama. Remove that, and it becomes unwatchable.”
What Lies Ahead for Manchester City?
The final outcome of City’s FFP case remains uncertain. They continue to appeal against the charges, leaving questions hanging over the Premier League and English football.
Potential punishments include expulsion from the top tier, points deductions, and transfer bans. This raises doubts about the legitimacy of recent league standings and trophies, especially if City faces severe sanctions that might strip them of titles.
Upcoming Fixture
- Match: Manchester City vs Ipswich
- Competition: Premier League
- Date: 17 October 2026
- Kick-off: 17:00
