UEFA President Stands Firm Against European Super League Revival
In the recent news, the president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, has expressed that “football is united” in opposition to any efforts to resurrect a European Super League. This statement was made amidst an ongoing dispute regarding the legality of UEFA rules regarding the approval of new competitions.
The European Court of Justice’s Grand Chamber announced that the prior approval rules set by UEFA for new tournaments were in violation of EU law. This decision was received as a victory by the backers of the Super League, A22, who subsequently revealed plans for new men’s and women’s tournaments.
Notably, several clubs, including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan, which were original members of the Super League in 2021, have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to existing competitions. Additionally, the Premier League released a statement rejecting the Super League concept.
During a press conference, Ceferin remarked, “Whilst there is always room for improvement, football remains united as you see today.” He also criticized the way the court’s judgment was communicated to the media and emphasized that UEFA would thoroughly review its 2022 rules in light of the ruling.
The president of ECA, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, echoed this sentiment by saying, “We are, as clubs, proud to be part of it.”
Furthermore, FIFA president Gianni Infantino emphasized that the ruling would not have any substantial impact on the organization’s ability to organize top-tier competitions.
In response to the court’s decision, A22’s chief executive, Bernd Reichart, declared that “football is free” and outlined plans for new tournaments that would be “open and meritocratic.” He also announced that fans would have access to live streaming of matches for free. Ceferin mocked A22’s presentation, calling it “even more closed” than its 2021 iteration.
The ongoing dispute reflects the deep divisions between different factions within European football, with players, clubs, and governing bodies striving to protect their interests in the face of a rapidly shifting landscape. As the situation continues to evolve, football fans around the world eagerly await the outcome of these deliberations.