CAF Super League plan slammed by players' union as 'unworkable' and 'ill-conceived'

By Paul Nicholson

August 8 - This Wednesday, CAF president and club owner Patrice Motsepe is due to unveil plans for an African Super League, to be launched in August 2023, with a $100 million prize money .

The proposals are already facing harsh criticism from football stakeholders who say there has been no advice within the professional football community in Africa and that the Super League potentially threatens the whole structure of the professional game on the continent.

The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) has released a statement under the unequivocal headline: "An Unachievable and Ill-Conceived African Super League Looms".

The statement reads: "Professional football in South Africa and Africa could be at risk if the resolution to start the Super League is implemented and there may be no return from the wreckage what a Super League can become."

The players' union was not consulted on the proposals which have been hailed as the golden ticket to African football poverty by Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

SAFPU argues that, as the proposal stands, it could dismantle the structure and ecosystem of professional football on the continent, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of people, from players to those employed in associated companies and service providers.

SAFPU says there has been no consultation with professional gaming stakeholders and no recognition of the achievements that have been made to create a sustainable professional game.

“Failing to understand the work that has been undertaken to get to where we are highlights the fragility of professional football and its lack of appreciation. We must jealously guard what has been achieved. We want and need to move forward, but we cannot go back,” says SAFPU.

The comments once again show a CAF president and FIFA executives who seem out of touch with football on the African continent as they fly around the world in their private jet.

“It is worrying to say the least that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) thinks it is a smart idea to try to override these achievements to benefit very little while leaving wreckage in its wake through the Super League. SAFPU is determined to ensure that CAF's proposals are fully considered and, if necessary, take all necessary measures to protect the rights of its members against serious and immediate risks, "says SAFPU .

Invoking the dismal failure of the European Super League, the players' union is relying on the same arguments that have been heard in Europe that the fabric of domestic leagues will be dismantled and become of secondary importance "while commercial interests followed a whole new elite to the spending and ultimate destruction, of the viability of the remnant”.

SAFPU highlights the lack of transparency and thought behind the Infantino/Motsepe plan which was designed without details of which clubs would participate nor consultation with the domestic leagues where those clubs currently compete.

“From a South African perspective, the minimum requirements would be disclosure of detailed research findings on the impacts of an African Super League; a fair engagement process, including opportunities to make representations A fair process should involve, at the very least, NSL, FIFPRO Africa and SAFPU,” the statement read.

"There is no evidence that an African Super League will benefit football in Africa unless it benefits a very few and dilute the value of professional leagues that are considered beneficial. The only way to improve football on our continent and to create and protect employment opportunities is to improve professionalism, to insist on better

governance and ensuring legal compliance. We need more professional clubs, more professional leagues, more professional player unions. It's a future that will attract greater commercial support and improved levels of merit-based competition. As South Africans, we cannot allow professional football to be destroyed,” SAFPU continues.

CAF said in a statement announcing the Super League that "the competition will breathe new life into African club competition. The winners and participants of the first African Super League will receive significant prizes and tournament proceeds will substantial solidarity payments to CAF's 54 member associations."

Motsepe will have to make a pretty big reveal this Wednesday if he is to earn the trust of professional football in Africa for what, until now, has been pretty much a secret project. Among the elements that he must disclose in particular is the exact source of this funding.

SAFPU President Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe will ask for a lot of conviction and raised key questions about Motsepe and CAF that have so much...