Following Thursday’s EU court ruling that UEFA and FIFA violated EU law by prohibiting the development of a Super League, major clubs and leagues across Europe rejected the Super League in favour of the status quo.
Following Thursday’s EU court ruling that UEFA and FIFA violated EU law by prohibiting the development of a Super League, major clubs and leagues across Europe rejected the Super League in favour of the status quo.
Manchester United, as well as German champions Bayern Munich, were among the first to state that they would continue to compete in UEFA events.
United was one of the 12 clubs involved in the founding of the breakaway Super League in April 2021 but withdrew owing to fan, government, and player pressure.
“Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game,” the club said.
Before withdrawing, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur were the other five Premier League clubs interested.
Two months after withdrawing from the project in 2021, the six English teams announced a combined 22 million pounds ($27.78 million) as “a gesture of goodwill” to be used for the sake of the game, including increased investment to support fans, grassroots football, and community programmes.
Premier League Against ESL
The Premier League stated they would be docked 30 points if they attempted a similar manoeuvre again, and they would each be fined 25 million pounds.
“The ruling does not endorse the so-called “European Super League” and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept,” the Premier League said in a statement.
“Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a ‘breakaway’ competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.”
Bayern Munich Says ‘No’
Bayern Munich stated that they are committed to UEFA competitions and that the Super League “remains closed” for the German champions.
“The Bundesliga is the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues are the foundation of other European football clubs,” Bayern CEO Jan Christian Dreesen said.
“It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them. We are also committed to the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA.”
The German Football League (DFL), which oversees the Bundesliga, stated that it “explicitly supports the European sports model and rejects competitions other than those organised by the federations and leagues.”
According to the European Club Association (ECA), which represents nearly 500 clubs across the continent, the football world “moved on from the Super League years ago.”
“Through ECA, clubs today are already at the heart of decision-making in relation to the competitions they participate in,” the ECA said.
“Most importantly, football is a social contract not a legal contract.
“All the recognised stakeholders… spanning confederations, federations, clubs, leagues, players and fans stand more united than ever against the attempts by a few individuals pursuing personal agendas to undermine the very foundations and basic principles of European football.”
PSG Not Interested In Supporting The Idea
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) of France has stated that it “unequivocally supports” UEFA competitions.
“For the defence of the broader and more general principle of sporting merit and the respect of international calendars,” the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) reaffirmed its determination to safeguard the national championships.
“The FIGC believes that the Super League is not a project compatible with these conditions and will always act in pursuing the general interests of Italian football,” it added.
