UEFA kicks as EPL ‘big six’ agree to join European Super League

“In recent months extensive dialogue has taken place with football stakeholders regarding the future format of European competitions. The Founding Clubs believe the solutions proposed following these talks do not solve fundamental issues, including the need to provide higher quality matches and additional financial resources for the overall football pyramid.”

UEFA AND FAS KICK AGAINST IDEA, THREATEN BAN

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has however kicked against the proposed Super League in a statement released earlier on Sunday.

With support from the English, Spanish and Italian FAs, the Europe’s football governing body also threatened to take action against the competition.

“UEFA, the English Football Association and the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga, and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Lega Serie A have learned that a few English, Spanish and Italian clubs may be planning to announce their creation of a closed, so-called Super League,” the statement read.

“If this were to happen, we wish to reiterate that we – UEFA, the English FA, RFEF, FIGC, the Premier League, LaLiga, Lega Serie A, but also FIFA and all our member associations – will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project that is founded on the self-interest of a few clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever.”

Pressure from big European clubs for larger revenue share means UEFA is expected to announce changes to the Champions League format on Monday after months of negotiation.

However, the rebel clubs have forged ahead on their plans for a competition that could alienate smaller clubs.

In response, UEFA also vowed to align with FIFA, the world football governing body, to impose sanctions on such clubs and their players that join the super league.

“We will consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening. Football is based on open competitions and sporting merit; it cannot be any other way,” it added.

“As previously announced by FIFA and the six Confederations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.”