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UEFA has underlined its strong opposition to the formation of a European super league following reports of plans to launch a new continental competition in which Liverpool and Manchester United will participate.
The Premier League giants are reportedly involved in talks about creating a new European Premier League, which is said to have the backing of the sport’s world governing body, FIFA.
But UEFA said that such a competition “would inevitably get boring”.
The European governing body, whose president Aleksander Ceferin last December called the reports of a world league “implausible” and “insane”, said in a statement: “The UEFA president has made it clear on many occasions that UEFA opposes firmly to a super league. ” .
“The principles of solidarity, promotion, relegation and open leagues are not negotiable. It’s what makes European football work and the Champions League is the best sports competition in the world.
“UEFA and the clubs have pledged to harness that force so as not to destroy it and create a super league of 10, 12, even 24 clubs, which would inevitably get boring.”
An important group of fans called the reported plans for the new competition “the final nail in the coffin of the idea that football can be trusted to regulate itself.”
Tuesday’s report comes just over a week after the Project Big Picture proposals emerged, which were developed by Liverpool and Manchester United and publicly endorsed by EFL President Rick Parry.
The proposals were rejected at a meeting of Premier League clubs last week and described as “a distraction at best” by UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden of the urgent need for the Premier League to and the EFL agree to a financial rescue package amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Kevin Miles, executive director of the Football Fans Association, was scathing in his assessment.
“The latest reports of plots, allegedly involving Manchester United and Liverpool, to create a European Super League, expose the myth that billionaire owners care about the pyramid of English football, or about anything other than their own greed, “he said.
“This has to be the final nail in the coffin of the idea that soccer can be trusted to regulate itself – these billionaire owners are out of control.
“Football in all its forms in the UK, from grassroots football to the top level, occupies too much of a place in our society, our culture and our communities to be threatened by an even greater concentration of wealth in the hands of the middle. dozen of great clubs.
“Now decisive action is needed to protect the game we love. The government has already promised us a fan-led review of soccer governance and regulation – that process must begin urgently before the super-wealthy custodians of the most popular clubs. big ones can do more damage. “
A FIFA spokesperson said in a statement that it “does not wish to comment on or participate in any speculation on issues that arise from time to time and for which institutional structures and regulatory frameworks are well established at national, European and global levels.” .
Manchester United have so far declined to comment, while Liverpool have also been contacted for a response.
The reports have emerged as discussions continue on the future format of the Champions League and Europa League for the next broadcast cycle starting in 2024.
Wall Street bank JP Morgan is reported to be in talks about financing the debt for the competition, which will be repaid from future streaming revenue.
Former United defender Gary Neville joined the FSA in condemning the reported plans.
“The big problem I have is that in the midst of a pandemic, with football on its knees at so many different levels, the idea that a package is being put together to establish a new league when clubs are struggling to try. Paying wages seems to be another injury for football, “he told Sky Sports.
“I am in favor of the progression of football, new competitions and new formats, but I don’t think this is the right time to talk about this.”
“The fans are getting to the point where they don’t care anymore. Soccer is going to eat itself up soon. The fans are starting to dislike big elements of what they support and they can’t afford that.”
LaLiga president Javier Tebas added: “These ‘clandestine’ projects only look good when they are written in a bar at five in the morning.”
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