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

April 19, 2021 7:27 am

EPL Results: Liverpool, Man United play goalless draw at Anfield

The top six clubs in the English Premier League (EPL) have agreed to join the proposed European Super League, a breakaway competition from the glamorous UEFA Champions League (UCL).

The perennial ‘big six’ clubs, which include Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs, announced their decisions in a joint statement released late Sunday, according to Skysports.

Aside from the six EPL clubs, the Super League, which is reportedly being spearheaded by Juventus and Real Madrid, has also received commitments from some Spanish and Italian clubs as “founding clubs” with more expected to join.

It is understood that the new competition is to rival the UEFA Champions League but not as a replacement for domestic leagues.

“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,” the statement read.

“AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea FC, FC Barcelona, FC Internazionale Milano, Juventus FC, Liverpool FC, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid CF 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 formation of the Super League comes at a time when the global pandemic has accelerated the instability in the existing European football economic model.”Further, for a number of years, the Founding Clubs have had the objective of improving the quality and intensity of existing European competitions throughout each season, and of creating a format for top clubs and players to compete on a regular basis.

“The pandemic has shown that a strategic vision and a sustainable commercial approach are required to enhance value and support for the benefit of the entire European football pyramid.

“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.”