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Despite the failure of his previous attempt, a European Super League ‘will be a reality’ in the next two years, claims Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
Original plans for a bold breakaway Super League were scuttled within 48 hours last year following a furious reaction from fans in England, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Man United soon making a U-turn as the owners later left. They apologized for getting involved in the first place.
Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona have continued to bet on a divided competition and Laporta has now stated that “it will be a reality” in two years and will be able to compete with the Premier League.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is optimistic about the formation of a Super League
The controversial plans were initially announced in April 2021, but fell apart within 48 hours.
‘I think there will be a Super League,’ he told a Spanish radio station. Chain Being. ‘In March we will have the ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU.
I would not have gotten involved in this project if it were not an open competition and accepted by Real Madrid, Juventus and other clubs that have not yet shown their faces but are very interested in this competition.
‘What we want is for the clubs to govern. That is why the judgment of the Court of Luxembourg is so important. I hope UEFA is part of the governing table.”
Last month, the Super League Company launched a legal action against UEFA, alleging that it had infringed EU law, but the European Court of Justice upheld UEFA’s position.
The Super League was hit hard last month when a court upheld UEFA over the league.
A senior legal adviser to the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that UEFA had not infringed EU law
Advocate General Athanasios Rantos said that while the Super League organizers had the right to establish an independent competition ‘outside the UEFA and FIFA ecosystem, however, it cannot, in parallel with the creation of such a competition, continue to participate in football competitions organized by FIFA. and UEFA without the prior authorization of said federations.’
Advocates General routinely provide legal guidance to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Their opinions are not binding on the Luxembourg-based court, but are followed in most cases.
A final ruling, not expected until March, could topple the aspirations of Laporta and other executives, but he remains convinced a separatist competition can be fostered.
“It will be a reality in 2025, if the resolution is favourable,” he continued.
‘If the ruling, which I think will not happen because what is being questioned is the defense of free competition within the framework of the EU, and I think that this will be won.
‘In a first step, what we will have is a European competition that will compete with the Premiership.
“I don’t think the English teams are going to go into the first step.”
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have so far refused to give up hope that a breakaway could work.
Bernd Reichert, CEO of A22 Sports, the new company working to create a Super League, insisted last month that the Super League is ‘not dead’ and ‘very much alive’.
Following the publication of the court ruling last month, UEFA said in a statement: “UEFA welcomes today’s unequivocal opinion from Advocate General Rantos, which is an encouraging step towards preserving the existing dynamic and democratic governance structure in the pyramid of European football”.
‘The Opinion reinforces the central role of federations in protecting sport, defending the fundamental principles of sporting merit and open access to all our members, as well as uniting football with shared responsibility and solidarity.
“Football in Europe remains united and firmly opposed to ESL, or any similar breakaway proposal, which would threaten the entire European sports ecosystem.
“While we await the final judgment of the Court to be delivered next year, UEFA, as a not-for-profit and public interest governing body, will remain fully focused on its mission of developing football for all, in close cooperation with the national associations. , the leagues , clubs, players, fans, EU institutions, governments and other relevant stakeholders who care about the true values of football.”
Fans rioted after plans including no relegation for all 12 members were revealed.
Meanwhile, FIFA added in a statement of its own: “FIFA welcomes the Opinion issued today by Advocate General Rantos of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in which he confirms the position and legitimacy of FIFA and UEFA to approve any new football competition”. Similarly, the Advocate General considers that sanctions may be imposed in relation to bankruptcies that do not meet the approved authorization criteria.
“FIFA also welcomes the recognition by the General Counsel of FIFA’s exclusive rights to market the international competitions organized by FIFA.
“Finally, FIFA welcomes the recognition by the Advocate General of the special character of sport, including the pyramid structure, which preserves the character of sporting merit and open competitions accessible to all, as well as the principles of promotion and relegation, competitive balance, and financial solidarity.’