UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says “football is united” against any attempts to revive a European Super League.
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice said on Thursday that UEFA rules allowing it to grant prior approval to new competitions such as the Super League were contrary to EU law, leading Super League’s backers A22 to declare victory and announce proposals for new men’s and women’s competitions.
Clubs including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan – founder members of the original Super League back in 2021 – have already pledged their commitment to the existing competitions they play in, while the Premier League released a statement rejecting the Super League concept.
“Whilst there is always room for improvement, football remains united as you see today,” Ceferin said at a press conference which also featured the leaders of the European Club Association, European Leagues, Football Supporters Europe and world players’ union FIFPRO.
“Three or four (of the original 12 Super League clubs in 2021) were the first to give statements today that they will never join. So even the ones who were there (in 2021) are the first ones to be against.”
Ceferin criticised the way the court’s judgement had been communicated to the media and said that when the case began in 2021, UEFA’s authorisation rules were different from how they look today after an update in June 2022.
He said UEFA would fully review whether the 2022 rules were in line with the ECJ’s ruling that stated they must be “transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate”. UEFA insisted the 2022 rules were developed in consultation with the European Commission.
Article 7.4 of UEFA’s 2022 rules state that authorisation of a new competition is conditional on it not adversely affecting the good functioning of UEFA’s existing competitions.
The rules state this condition is necessary “to protect the sporting merit of UEFA competitions, the good functioning of the international calendar as well as the health and safety of players” but would appear to make approval of a rival competition featuring Europe’s top clubs under UEFA auspices impossible.
A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart earlier declared “football is free” after the verdict and said it now gave competition organisers like his company the right to pitch its plans.
He announced details for new men’s and women’s competitions which he said would be “open and meritocratic”. He also said fans would be able to stream live matches for free.
Ceferin mocked the A22 presentation and said: “It’s really hard to decide if you should be shocked or amused by the show that we have seen.
“Since it’s close to Christmas I will choose amusement, I am amused by it.”
He said the new format was “even more closed” than the 2021 version “especially the interesting idea that (domestic) champions would qualify in a Blue League, which is a third-tier competition”.
On A22’s reaction to the verdict, Ceferin added: “I have a feeling that A22, now it’s close to Christmas, saw a big, well-decorated box under the tree.
“They were super-happy (and) started to celebrate. But when you open the box you’ll see that it’s not much inside.”
United said their position had not changed following Thursday’s ruling and said they “remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive co-operation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game”.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chairman of the ECA and president of Paris St Germain, who refused to join the Super League in 2021, said: “The best club competition in the world is the Champions League. The music itself is a brand.
“You have a brand that exists already for years and years. We are, as clubs, proud to be part of it.
“I have received I don’t know how many calls from clubs (since the ruling), and you see their statements. All of us as stakeholders, we’re standing together to protect the ecosystem of football.”
Fans were key to the demise of the 2021 Super League and Football Supporters’ Association chief executive Kevin Miles said on Thursday: “We all want to see the trigger pulled on the walking dead monstrosity that is the European Zombie League.”
The Premier League’s statement was less colourful but no less significant.
“The ruling does not endorse the so-called ‘European Super League’ and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept,” a league statement said.
“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.
“The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.
“Football thrives on the competitiveness created by promotion and relegation, the annual merit-based qualification from domestic leagues and cups to international club competitions and the longstanding rivalries and rituals that come with weekends being reserved for domestic football.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today’s judgement does not change anything, really.
“Historically, we have been organising the best competitions in the world and this will also be the case in the future.
“We will continue to deliver the world’s most spectacular, competitive and meaningful tournaments and use our revenues to develop football in every corner of the globe through solidarity programmes that ensure the less privileged benefit from those top competitions.”
Former Soca Warrior Hislop endorses Edwards to steer TTFA back to glory days; hopes to see T&T at World Cup
With the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) now back to regular proceedings, former Soca Warriors goalkeeper Shaka Hislop is optimistic that it will bring with it good fortunes that will see the twin island republic qualifying for another FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Hislop’s sentiments came during an endorsement of recently-elected TTFA president Kieron Edwards, who he believes is best suited to steer the country’s football and finances back on track, as he foresees a bright future for football.
In fact, Hislop, who was Trinidad and Tobago’s custodian at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, expressed delight that the association is no longer under the thumb of the Normalisation Committee, which was installed by FIFA in 2020.
The Normalisation Committee had a mandate to manage the daily affairs of the TTFA, establish a repayment plan for the debt-riddled organisation, review and amend its statutes –and other regulations, where necessary – and ensure compliance with the statutes and rules of the world governing football body.
“I was very critical of the Normalisation process, and I remain so. I felt our football needed to be in our hands. We needed to chart our own path and answer to our own stakeholders. And now with President Edwards in place, we have that,” Hislop said during Grenada’s 100 Years in Football Legends Match in the Spice Isle recently.
“We have that opportunity again to do that. It’s a big opportunity for us to maybe try to rediscover a lot of our game, and our football, and what it means to us. Both in terms of our performances on the park and in terms of how we provide those opportunities and platforms that I did, and I was able to enjoy when I was a kid coming through,” he added.
Having benefitted immensely from a decorated career with the Soca Warriors, Hislop is now hoping to return the favour by assisting aspiring players to chart the course towards a successful career of their own.
“T&T as a country, T&T football as a sport, has given me an awful lot, more than I could ever repay for, and more than I think many people recognize. And that will always be my focus, how can I support young men and women who are trying to find their way in the sport,” he declared.
That said, Hislop pointed out that the chances of Trinidad and Tobago making another appearance at the global showpiece remains highly possible, but it will require the right mentality and financial backing to achieve the feat.
Trinidad and Tobago enjoyed a fairly successful 2023 Concacaf Nations League campaign in which they made the quarterfinals and secured an historic win over United States.
Angus Eve’s side missed out on Copa America qualification, but they have a grand opportunity to possibly secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, especially with the confederation’s powerhouse teams –Mexico, United States and Canada –securing automatic qualification as hosts, and as such, will be absent from the upcoming qualifiers.
“If they stick with it, if they are given the right tools, if they’re given the right coaching, provided the right mentors and the right opportunities, I’m sure the game will give back to them in an enriching way as it did to me,” said Hislop.
“My dying dream is to see T&T qualify for a World Cup so I can go there as a fan. I was to go and experience T&T playing in a World Cup, purely as a fan. I’m hopeful that I’ll see that,” he ended.
Ancelotti excited by Guler potential after Madrid teenager's goal at Granada
Arda Guler was once again on target for Real Madrid against Granada and an excited Carlo Ancelotti believes Los Blancos can expect more to come from the teenager.
Chances to impress in a first-team environment have been limited for Guler, who chose Madrid over Barcelona to join from Fenerbahce last July, owing to the quality of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Yet the Turkey youngster has scored twice in his last three LaLiga starts, finding the net in Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Granada after also striking against Real Sociedad on April 26.
"We still don't know what his potential is because he is very young," the Madrid head coach said of Guler.
"But he is showing incredible talent, he is very effective in front of goal and has speed.
"I don't know what his ceiling is, today it is difficult to say, but he has natural talent and he's doing very well."
Brahim Diaz has also had to settle for a backup role in the Spanish capital but scored twice in the hammering of Granada, as well as a goal for Fran Garcia.
Ancelotti heaped praise on his much-changed Madrid side as the newly-crowned LaLiga champions impressed after reaching the Champions League final in midweek with their win over Bayern Munich.
"Well… it's hard to say who surprised me the most," Ancelotti said after resting the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius and Rodrygo in 10 changes for Saturday's victory.
"Among those who returned, Brahim earned an important role, but I don't want to forget Joselu or Fran Garcia, who arrived this year and did really well.
"Fran in the first period and the others, in terms of goals, were fundamental to having this level at this moment of the season."
Madrid host Alaves and Real Betis either side of a trip to Villarreal to end their league season, before the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund on June 1 at Wembley Stadium.
Pioli lauds Milan determination after snapping winless run with Cagliari triumph
Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has come under scrutiny in recent weeks but lauded his side's determination after snapping their four-game winless run in Serie A on Saturday.
The Rossoneri hammered Cagliari 5-1 as Christian Pulisic was twice on target, along with goals from Rafael Leao, Tijjani Reijnders and Ismael Bennacer at San Siro.
That victory marked their first in the league since April 6 against Lecce and also ended a six-game winless run across all competitions.
Milan have already watched fierce rivals Inter lift the title but secured second place in the table after moving seven points clear of Bologna with two games remaining.
Despite a frustrating, stop-start season, Pioli was at least satisfied to see his team respond to their concerning run of form.
"It was very important to return to winning ways, we were not used to being so long without victories. We suffered this situation, well done to the guys for their determination," coach Pioli told Sky Sport.
"No team has managed to maintain the level of Inter and we were not able to have continuity to stick with them.
"Ours is a strong team, but one that failed to overcome decisive moments at a certain time during the season."
Nahitan Nandez pulled a goal back in the 63rd for Cagliari, who remain in 15th place with 33 points, three points above the relegation zone.
"It hurts to have conceded five goals, in the first half we did well defensively, but we were timid," Cagliari coach Claudio Ranieri said.
"Coming here to San Siro against an angry Milan side after the last results was difficult ... the last two matches will determine whether it will be salvation or relegation.
"Now we cancel everything and think about the next ones."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
