Super League doomed to fail as clubs including Man United and PSG continue to back UEFA
Thursday morning brought about an historic judgment from the European Court of Justice regarding the potential formation of a European Super League.
Essentially, Barcelona and Real Madrid, the only two teams that had not ruled themselves out of the Super League when it was first floated in 2021 (and then fell flat on its face after the withdrawal of all of the other clubs), along with A22, a sports development company formed to assist in the creation of the ESL, were proved right in their attempt to prove that UEFA and FIFA held a monopoly which was in breach of the EU’s Competition and Free Movement Law.
Both Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, and Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, quickly came out with strong statements concerning the future of the beautiful game now being in the hands of the clubs themselves.
However, their joy at being vindicated could be short-lived as clubs began to release statements of their own backing away from the project and throwing their weight behind UEFA and FIFA’s plans.
At this point, it’s difficult to see that there’s a way forward for the European Super League in any format, although if this goes from a utopian idea to getting clubs around the table to understand that they will be much more financially better off, things may turn in A22’s favour again.
For now, respected journalist and CaughtOffside columnist, Fabrizio Romano, posted each time a club released a statement regarding their objection to the Super League – a list that appears to be growing all the time:
??? Official: Tottenham have rejected the Super League, club statement also confirms.
“Our position has not changed. We remain committed to the values of European football, and we will continue to work with fellow clubs through the ECA and participate in UEFA competitions”. pic.twitter.com/W2oH2Se8ar
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
?? Manchester City have rejected the Super League, club statement confirms.
“Our position has not changed since 2021 — we are out of the Super League”.
“We remain committed to working with fellow clubs through the ECA and to participation in UEFA competition”. pic.twitter.com/Utoyi4RU47
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
???? Atlético Madrid reject the Super League, per club statement.
“The European football family does not want the European Super League”.
“Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (except for Real Madrid and Barcelona), etc. do not want the Super League”.
“We are in favor of… pic.twitter.com/bpwzPRGbmQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
?? Manchester United statement on Super League.
“Our position has NOT changed”.
“We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the… pic.twitter.com/leDAlStyP7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
?? FC Bayern reject the Super League.
“It’s very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed”.
“Such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of domestic leagues and the statics of European football”, club CEO Dreesen says. pic.twitter.com/j5ZLzLDVhM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
???? Sevilla statement also confirms they have decided to reject the Super League. pic.twitter.com/CgCY5es1ob
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
???? Borussia Dortmund reject the Super League, as club CEO Watzke confirms.
“We are not available for Super League”. pic.twitter.com/MZ9EuZW409
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
??? AS Roma reject the Super League.
“The club in no way endorses any so-called Super League project that would present an unacceptable attack on the importance of the national leagues and the foundations of European football”.
“AS Roma believes that European football’s… pic.twitter.com/vg7xl3cFrm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
??? PSG reject the Super League.
“Paris Saint-Germain totally and utterly rejects any plans for a so-called Super League, which has been the case from day one and will always remain the case”.
“As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European… pic.twitter.com/n9rycr2KLz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
???? AS Monaco reject the Super League.
“AS Monaco would like to express its full commitment to the principle of sporting merit which governs UEFA competitions and the French championship”.
“AS Monaco will continue to work with the Ligue 1 clubs within the Ligue de Football… pic.twitter.com/R0o4qrMT0F
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
???? Real Sociedad have rejected the Super League — club statement confirms. pic.twitter.com/yp4Kl3VSlh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
???? Inter have rejected the Super League.
“FC Internazionale Milano reiterates its position that European football’s future well-being can only be secured by clubs working together through the ECA, in partnership and collaboration with UEFA and FIFA”.
“As a Club, we remain… pic.twitter.com/WDjLqgLGUn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
?? FC Copenhagen statement on Super League.
“FC Copenhagen takes note of the judgment which in NO way endorses any Super League project”.
“As a club, we remain 100% committed to working through ECA alongside our fellow European clubs”. pic.twitter.com/YjYV4sXIjA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
??? Atalanta statement confirm they are against the Super League and reject the new competition. pic.twitter.com/JMKkCoskYs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023
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