November 7 – A breakaway European Super League would have “serious and lasting implications” according to organisation representing Europe’s major leagues.
As part of its ongoing series of reports based on information from the Football Leaks website, Der Spiegel claimed Europe’s elite clubs have discussed forming a 16-team competition that could begin as soon as 2021 and that they could even quit their national leagues and football associations entirely.
The Association of European Leagues, which represents 25 leagues, says it strongly opposes the “creation of any ‘closed and franchised style’ Super League”.
In a statement the association reiterated its support for UEFA and the status quo.
“The Leagues supports the European sports model based on a pyramid structure where the mechanisms of promotion and relegation and the sporting merits of clubs are at the core of any competition,” the body said.
“Domestic football is at the heart of the game throughout Europe for all football stakeholders: players, clubs, leagues, national associations and, more importantly, fans.
“Proposals for a closed Super League will have serious and lasting implications for the long-term sustainability of professional football in Europe.
“Within this context, the European Leagues fully supports UEFA in the management and organisation of European Club Competitions and shares with UEFA the common principle of protecting and enhancing competitive balance in European football.”
On Monday UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin also condemned the plans, saying they would “damage football worldwide”.
He told Germany’s Kicker magazine: “To see Juve versus Bayern every week would be more boring than let’s say Juve versus Torino. It’s no question for me that I will fight and do all I can against such a league for as long as I am here.”
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