The project for a Super League, which would bring together 64 of the best European clubs, was relaunched on Thursday. In an expected decision, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that UEFA’s rules relating to the authorization of football competitions were contrary to competition law.
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The decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union appeared to be a victory for the Super League and its defenders. But, it only took a few hours for many major European clubs to speak out (again) against this project for a new European competition, Thursday December 21.
To the point that the latest supporters of the Super League, which wishes to bring together 64 of the best European clubs from next season, can barely be counted on the fingers of one hand. Only Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, instigators of the project, always openly positioned in favor of this new competition.
On the other hand, among the European leaders, the rejections continue to multiply. PSG was one of the first to reaffirm its opposition on Thursday. “Paris Saint-Germain totally and completely rejects any project for a so-called Super League […] As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European sporting model, the values of open competition and inclusion, and works with all recognized stakeholders of European football – especially with supporters and players, who are at the heart of heart of football –”reacted Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of PSG and the ECA (European Club Association).
In France, his Marseille counterpart, Pablo Longoria, also spoke at a press conference, considering “that having three or four competitions organized by so many different organizers would be a disaster for football”.
Abroad, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, usually rivals, are united but seem isolated. While Madrid president Florentino Perez assures that his club will continue “to defend a modern project, fully compatible with national competitions” and that “European club football will no longer be a monopoly”its neighbor Atlético de Madrid, which was originally one of the defenders of the project, expressed its disagreement. “We are in favor of protecting the big family of European football, protecting the national leagues and, through them, qualifying for European competitions on the field every season”wrote the Colchoneros in a press release.
Manchester United and Inter Milan, from defenders to dissidents
Like them, Manchester United and Inter Milan, who were among the 12 clubs behind the project, expressed their opposition to the Super League. “We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions”affirmed the Mancunian team, while Inter Milan “reiterates its conviction that the future of European football can only be guaranteed through collaboration between clubs within the ECA and in partnership with UEFA and FIFA.”.
Bayern Munich, which has always positioned itself against this project, reaffirmed its rejection. “Such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the stability of European football. The Bundesliga forms the basis of Bayern, just as all national leagues constitute the basis of European football clubs. It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them and not weaken them“, said Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO of the Bavarian club.
Several English clubs, including Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea have not yet spoken, but the Premier League, the English championship (the most powerful in the world) has assured that it “continued to reject such a concept”. According to its regulations, English clubs which participate in a competition “not approved” would risk sanctions, and the Minister of Culture, Media and Sports, Lucy Frazer, assured that the government propose to “soon a law which will prevent clubs from participating in dissident competitions in the future.