A group of the world’s richest and famous football clubs has agreed in principle on a plan to create a new European Super League that could change the face of English football.
On Sunday, it was reported that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City have signed up to the breakaway plan, which would see teams compete in one 36-team league instead of the current system.
However, on 21 January 2021, FIFA and all six of football’s continental confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA) issued a statement rejecting the formation of any breakaway European Super League.
Any club or player involved in such a league would be banned from any competitions organised by FIFA or any of the six confederations.
A statement read: “Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have today come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new mid-week competition, the Super League, governed by its Founding Clubs..
“AC Milan, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have all joined as founding clubs. It is anticipated that a further three clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable.
“Going forward, the Founding Clubs look forward to holding discussions with UEFA and FIFA to work together in partnership to deliver the best outcomes for the new League and for football as a whole.”
The news has led to a huge backlash on social media, with Gary Neville slamming the plans as an ‘absolute joke’ and calling for the Premier League’s big six to be punished.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as several governing bodies, also spoke out against the ‘damaging’ proposals, which would change the face of English football forever.
The concept of a European Super League consisting of football clubs from across Europe has been discussed since the 1990s. The super league has occasionally been officially proposed but never implemented.
The idea of a European Super League has been heavily criticised by fans and critics, pointing out its potentially devastating effect on domestic leagues, the UEFA Champions League, and smaller clubs: it is viewed in some quarters as simply a “power grab” by bigger clubs for more money and control over football.
Source: TalkSport.Com
