May 28 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has taken another dig at those who prioritise profit over passion by pledging to support the entire football pyramid.
Speaking at the Club Advisory Platform (CAP) meeting of the European Leagues on Thursday, Ceferin drew a comparison between the past few pandemic-hit months and attempts to form a breakaway European Super League.
Reflecting on the damaging effects of Covid-19 on football and how it “put a wall between us”, the Slovenian said by video-link: “It was not so different from this attempt by some to break away from the football community .”
“We at UEFA have come to a much greater appreciation of the importance of unity in European football. I have been re-assured and comforted by the overwhelming response of fans, clubs, leagues, politicians, journalists – practically everyone who cares about football – against the so-called European Super League.”
“You can rest assured that UEFA is committed more than ever to supporting the entire football pyramid. We want to maximise passion, not profits. We want to lend a hand, not show a fist. We want to support and unite, not destroy and divide.
“All leagues, all clubs and all fans are equally important to holding the pyramid together. The smallest stone of the pyramid is of no less importance than the biggest.”
“The big clubs do not become big in isolation. They needed to play all clubs to become victorious and establish their fame. This is the irony of the failed endeavour of the ill-fated Super League. They believed they had to knock out the podium on which they stand.”
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