Watch The Rise and Fall of the Super League

The Rise and Fall of the Super League is a documentary exploring the short-lived attempt to create a new European football league featuring only the wealthiest and most successful clubs in the sport. The show, produced by BBC Select, is a balanced and insightful look at the complex events that led to the creation and ultimate collapse of the Super League, drawing on interviews with key figures, behind-the-scenes footage, and expert analysis from football journalists and historians.

The show begins by setting the stage for the Super League's emergence, tracing the history of European club football and the economic forces that made the league seem like an inevitable development. Viewers learn how billionaire club owners like Florentino Perez of Real Madrid and Andrea Agnelli of Juventus saw an opportunity to create a more lucrative and exclusive league that would benefit their own teams at the expense of smaller clubs and national competitions.

From there, the show delves into the controversial announcement of the Super League in April 2021, which sent shockwaves through the football world and ignited a firestorm of outrage among fans, players, and politicians. The documentary examines the motives and decision-making of the 12 founding clubs, as well as the intense backlash that followed, including protests by fans, condemnation from football governing bodies, and rejections by players and coaches.

The Rise and Fall of the Super League also explores the complex power dynamics between the Super League architects and the existing football establishment, including the UEFA and FIFA, as well as the role of media coverage and social media in shaping the narrative and mobilizing fans. The documentary provides historical context and comparisons to other attempts at breakaway leagues throughout football history, highlighting the unique factors that made the Super League both promising and ultimately unsustainable.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are treated to compelling interviews with a diverse range of perspectives, from former players like Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand, to sports journalists including Raphael Honigstein and Sid Lowe, to FIFA officials and football analysts. The show's balance of analysis and human interest stories help humanize the key players involved and provide insight into the wider implications of the Super League saga.

Overall, The Rise and Fall of the Super League is a fascinating look into one of the most dramatic and consequential stories in modern football history. It skillfully unpacks the key issues at the heart of the Super League debate, from financial inequality to fan power to institutional corruption, while providing thought-provoking commentary on the future of football in a rapidly changing world. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or a casual observer, this documentary is sure to capture your attention and leave you with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the beautiful game.

The Rise and Fall of the Super League is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on May 5, 2022.