May 6 – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan – the four renegades who have refused to abandon the European Super League project – could be thrown out of the Champions League for two years if they continue to dig their heels in, according to reports.
The four have yet to join the other eight founder members in turning their backs on the ESL and could face a serious backlash from UEFA.
According to ESPN, UEFA are prepared to take ‘severe disciplinary action’ including a possible maximum punishment of a two-year ban from UEFA competition, including the Champions League.
Apparently after talks in the past two weeks with all the 12 founding clubs, UEFA will agree a lesser sanction for those who have now distanced themselves from the Super League.
According to ESPN, seven of those involved in the project – all six English sides plus Atletico Madrid – have been in contact with UEFA over the last 10 days and have reached an agreement. Inter Milan are also believed to be close to a deal as they were the first of the Italians to bow out.
But Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan have not yet formally backed down, apparently believing their position is strong enough legally to avoid disciplinary action.
However, article 51 of the UEFA statutes states “no combinations or alliances between… clubs affiliated, directly or indirectly, to different UEFA Member Associations may be formed without the permission of UEFA.”
Last weekend UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: “Everyone has to take consequences for what they did and we cannot pretend nothing happened.”
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