Could a fan-friendly ownership model like Germany’s work in English football? | Uli Hesse

Appalled by the botched European Super League plans, many want a reset in England. But there are cultural and legal barriers

Now that the so-called European Super League has collapsed in on itself amid a flurry of fan revolt, recriminations and stilted apologies from billionaires, we can gaze back to those heady moments long ago when the plan was announced on Sunday night. It was clear from the start that there were flaws with the proposed breakaway competition hatched by a dozen of football's megaclubs.

Notably, three major teams were conspicuous by their absence: Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Leaving aside the more opaque motives of the Qatar-owned French side, the two German clubs not being involved was pointed. Bayern are one of the real heavyweights on the international stage, in terms of sporting prowess and financial power. But the resolute rejection of the idea by Dortmund was even more surprising.