May 10 – Nine of the 12 rebel clubs who joined the ill-fated European Super League, including England’s so-called big six, have made their peace with UEFA by signing a letter of apology and agreeing to donate millions of dollars to the grassroots game.
The agreement, described by UEFA’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, as showing the clubs’ “contrition and future commitment to European football”, means they will be able to compete in next year’s UEFA competitions, should they qualify.
The Super League project imploded three weeks ago after the English clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham – backed out inside 48 hours following a backlash from fans.
The settlement signed by the Premier League clubs along with Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan says they will participate only in the existing European competitions and accepted giving up 5% of revenue for one season playing in Europe.
The nine clubs will also make a combined payment of €15 million for what UEFA called a “gesture of goodwill” to benefit children, youth and grassroots football.
The clubs have also agreed to be fined €100 million if they seek again to play in an unauthorised competition or €50 million if they breach any other commitments to UEFA.
“The measures announced are significant, but none of the financial penalties will be retained by UEFA,” said Čeferin.
“They will all be re-invested into youth and grassroots football in local communities across Europe, including the UK. These clubs recognised their mistakes quickly and have taken action to demonstrate their contrition and future commitment to European football.
“In accepting their commitments and willingness to repair the disruption they caused, UEFA wants to put this chapter behind it and move forward in a positive spirit.”
The nine will also rejoin the European Clubs Association, which they quit when the Super League was announced, and appear to have struck a deal that will prevent any additional punishments by national domestic federations.
UEFA said at the request of the clubs it “will ask and support that due consideration be given by their respective national associations and national leagues to the spirit, content and purpose of the commitments given by the clubs to UEFA.”
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