January 22 – The European Commission has added its name to mounting opposition to the creation of a breakaway super league that is gathering momentum across the continent.
In a rare collective show of strength, FIFA and its six individual confederations have threatened a World Cup ban on players who take part in any proposed European Super saying any attempt by leading European clubs to create a breakaway competition “would not be recognised by either FIFA or the respective confederation”.
FIFA’s move was immediately followed by a report in Friday’s Times newspaper which revealed founder members of a proposed European Super League, which would dispense with promotion and relegation, would be offered up to £310 million (€350 million) each to join the competition.
But Margaritis Schinas, European Commission vice president, commented: “There is no scope for the few to distort the universal and diverse nature of European football.”
“The European way of life is not compatible with European football being reserved for the rich and the powerful.”
FIFA’s ban would cover the World Cup, European Championships, Copa America and the Champions League though there must be some doubt whether it would be enforceable.
“We must protect our European sports model, which relies on a balance between club and national competitions, and is meant to ensure the development of the game in an open and non-discriminatory way,” Schinas added.
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