UEFA has released a statement condemning the formation of a so-called European Super League with the support of the FA, the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, La Liga, the Italian Football Federation and Serie A.
Reports emerged on Sunday indicating that five Premier League clubs had signed up for a new competition in Europe that would directly threaten the Champions League, for which new plans are expected to be formally announced on Monday.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are said to be among 11 major European sides that have approved a Super League rather than a reformatted Champions League, and Europe’s governing body has now responded.
UEFA, the English Football Association, the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), LaLiga, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Lega Serie A have today released a statement.
Read it completely here:?
– UEFA (@UEFA) 18 April 2021
“UEFA’s statement reads:” UEFA, the English Football Association and the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga, and the Italian Football Association (FIGC) and Lega Serie A have learned that some English, Spanish and Italian clubs are planning to announce that they are creating a closed so-called Super League.
“Should this happen, we would like to reiterate that we – UEFA, English FA, RFEF, FIGC, Premier League, La Liga, Lega Serie A, but also FIFA and all our member associations – will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project based on the self-interest of some clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever.
“We will consider all available measures, at all levels, both legal and sporting, to prevent this. Football is based on open competitions and sporting merits. There can be no other way.
“As previously announced by FIFA and the six federations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at national, European or world level, and their players may be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.
“We thank the clubs in other countries, especially the French and German clubs, who have refused to sign up for this. We urge all football lovers, supporters and politicians to join us in the fight against such a project if it should “This persistent self-interest on the part of some has been going on for too long. That’s enough.”
PL statement condemning Super League plans: “The Premier League condemns all proposals that attack the principles of open competition and sporting merit that are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.” https://t.co/wh3LrUS5Tm pic.twitter.com/s1UpQd2k6F
– Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 18, 2021
The Premier League has released a further statement which reads: “The Premier League condemns all proposals that attack the principles of open competition and sporting merit that are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.
“Fans of all clubs in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team can climb to the top and play against the best. We believe that the concept of a European Super League would ruin this dream.
“The Premier League is proud to run a competitive and convincing football competition that has made it the most watched league in the world. Our success has enabled us to make an unparalleled financial contribution to the domestic football pyramid.
“A European Super League will undermine the appeal of the whole game and have a profoundly detrimental effect on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs and all those in football who trust our funding and solidarity to flourish.
“We will work with fans, the FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity and prospects of English football for the good of the game.”
