The Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United has been widely criticized as “shambolic,” but many of the issues stem directly from UEFA’s structural decisions. This final exposes how the competition has become a safety net for wealthy clubs struggling through crisis seasons.
The Europa League as a Safety Net for Big Clubs
Rival executives have mocked the quality of the final, but it reflects deliberate changes made between 2019 and 2021. The richest clubs demanded more guaranteed access to the Champions League even during poor domestic campaigns. To secure this, they removed the drop-down mechanism from the Champions League to the Europa League, providing elite clubs a clearer route back to the top.
This means the Europa League now functions as an “insurance policy” rather than a meritocratic competition, significantly weakening its original value.
A Final Marked by Domestic Struggles
This final might be the most desperate in European football history. Both finalists currently sit near the bottom of the Premier League table—16th and 17th—positions usually associated with relegation battles, not European glory. This contrasts sharply with historic finals featuring top-performing teams.
From Meritocracy to Financial Dominance
Last year’s Europa League final featured clubs like Atalanta, who represented the meritocratic spirit of the competition, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini celebrating football as a fairytale beyond money. This season’s final stands in stark contrast, as both English clubs reached the final largely due to financial muscle, outspending opponents by huge margins.
The Financialisation of Football and Its Consequences
Despite massive Premier League revenues and spending, United and Spurs find themselves in crisis. Their poor league positions defy the usual strong link between wage bills and success, making their situation highly unusual. This financial wastefulness fuels the desperation surrounding this final, showcasing how money now dominates football decisions.
This trend moves the sport away from merit-based competition toward a financial game, highlighting why underdog victories like Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win remain so cherished and rare.
