European Super League: Ceferin thanks 'great man' Al-Khelaifi at PSG and other breakaway opponents

By Sports Desk April 20, 2021

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin thanked the club officials who have stood by Champions League reform proposals on Tuesday.

Ceferin was speaking at the UEFA Congress the day after criticising those involved in the breakaway European Super League in emotional comments.

Plans for a new rival competition, widely deemed anti-competitive, were announced at the weekend by 12 clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United.

They face a backlash from many throughout the world of football, including UEFA and president Ceferin.

But on Tuesday, Ceferin preferred to focus on those who have not at this stage signed up for the Super League as UEFA tries to push through its own new competition format.

Reigning European champions Bayern Munich have released a statement in opposition to the Super League, while last season's beaten Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain - chasing their first title again in this year's competition - are also not involved.

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will replace Agnelli as one of the European Club Association's (ECA) representatives on the UEFA executive committee.

And Ceferin picked out Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the PSG president present at the event in Switzerland, for praise.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Nasser," Ceferin said in his opening statement. "You have shown that you are a great man and that you respect football and its values.

"I also thank Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a fantastic president for the ECA, and [Lyon's] Jean-Michel Aulas, who came here today.

"But also Jose [Castro] from Sevilla, with whom I had a very reassuring discussion yesterday evening and with whom we share the same vision of football. Thank you."

United chief executive Ed Woodward and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli had been the subject of particularly scathing comments from Ceferin on Monday.

He spoke of "snakes" and said: "I have seen many things in my life. I was a criminal lawyer. I have never seen people like that."

Related items

  • Man City thinking about title would be a 'huge mistake', says Guardiola Man City thinking about title would be a 'huge mistake', says Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola conceded it would be a "big mistake" for Manchester City to think about retaining the Premier League title amid their four-game losing run in the competition.

    City were handed their latest defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, losing 2-0 at Anfield to leave them 11 points adrift of Arne Slot's side at the summit of the standings. 

    The Citizens return to the Etihad on Wednesday to take on Nottingham Forest, who returned to winning ways last weekend with a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town. 

    Guardiola's men may be in poor form, but they are unbeaten in their past eight league games against Forest, stretching back to a 3-2 loss in the second tier in December 1997.

    However, when asked about his side's chances of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League crown, Guardiola remained realistic given recent results. 

    "After the results in the past to think about a big target would be a big mistake," Guardiola conceded. 

    "We need to beat a team close to us and take advantage to be closer to the top four. We are not far away from being the second team in the league, but it is all about consistency.

    "Liverpool as a team have been magnificent, and you just have to fight and win games. Step by step we have to move forward again."

    Despite enduring the longest winless run of his managerial career, Guardiola insisted that he was not feeling the pressure of the surrounding situation. 

    After winning 18 trophies across his eight full seasons as City boss, he is determined to battle on with the help of the supporters. 

    "The fans know what these guys have done over the last decade," he added. 

    "They know we need the support, the players are human beings and will try everything to change the dynamic.

    "We just have to play and think about the next one. I don't know another way. I don't feel sorry for myself."

    Guardiola did, however, insist that his side would be a lot higher in the table if he had a fully fit squad to choose from. 

    City have been without several players for much of the campaign, including long-term injury absentee Rodri, who is eyeing a return to action before the season is out. 

    "With all the squad this season we would be close to our level we reached last season," Guardiola said. 

    "In January we will talk internally as it depends on the situation we are in at that moment."

    It was confirmed by Guardiola on Tuesday that John Stones would miss the visit of Nuno Espirito Santo's side, while Kevin De Bruyne is nearing full fitness. 

  • ‘Innocent until proven otherwise’: Gateway Athletics take soft stance in Director's arrest on gun-trafficking charge ‘Innocent until proven otherwise’: Gateway Athletics take soft stance in Director's arrest on gun-trafficking charge

    Gateway Athletics International has issued a statement expressing confidence in the innocence of its managing director, Shem Alexander, who was arrested in Jamaica on allegations of gun and ammunition trafficking from the United States to Trinidad and Tobago.

    Alexander, a well-known figure in Trinidad and Tobago football circles with coaching experience in the T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) for MIC Matura ReUnited, was detained on November 15 at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. His arrest followed an extradition request by United States authorities.

    On November 30, the Jamaica Observer reported that Alexander appeared in a Corporate Area court, where he provided written consent to be extradited to the United States to face trial.

    Gateway Athletics addressed the situation in a November 30 statement, revealing that Alexander had stepped aside from his duties to address the allegations.

    "Mr Alexander has taken a voluntary leave of (absence) as the managing director at Gateway Athletics in order to focus on treating the allegations before him. Mr Alexander has maintained his innocence in all of the allegations levelled against him and is eager to fully ventilate the issue in the right forum when the time is appropriate,” the statement said.

    The organization emphasized the principle of presumed innocence.

    “The same natural justice that applies to all also applies to Mr Alexander, that is, the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. There is no further information we can give at this time, but we will update as necessary as information becomes available,” the statement added.

    Alexander has been a significant contributor to Trinidad and Tobago's football development. He previously managed St Augustine Secondary's football program and has played a key role in shaping youth football through his leadership at Gateway Athletics.

    Under his stewardship, Gateway has overseen the last three editions of the Republic Cup National Youth Football League, one of the nation's most prestigious youth tournaments.

    Additionally, Gateway has facilitated showcase events through the Republic Cup, giving young footballers an opportunity to perform before college coaches and scouts from abroad with the goal of earning scholarships.

     

  • Man City thinking about the title would be a 'huge mistake', says Guardiola Man City thinking about the title would be a 'huge mistake', says Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola conceded it would be a "big mistake" for Manchester City to think about reclaiming the Premier League title amid their six-game losing run in the league.

    City were handed their latest defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, losing 2-0 at Anfield to leave them 11 points adrift of Arne Slot's side at the summit of the standings. 

    The Citizens return to the Etihad on Wednesday to take on Nottingham Forest, who returned to winning ways last weekend with a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town. 

    Guardiola's men may be in poor form, but they are unbeaten in their past eight league games against Forest, stretching back to a 3-2 loss in the second tier in December 1997.

    However, when asked about his side's chances of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League crown, Guardiola remained realistic given recent results. 

    "After the results in the past to think about a big target [winning the Premier League] would be a big mistake," Guardiola conceded. 

    "We need to beat a team close to us and take advantage to be closer to the top four. We are not far away from being the second team in the league, but it is all about consistency.

    "Liverpool as a team have been magnificent, and you just have to fight and win games. Step by step we have to move forward again."

    Despite enduring the longest winless run of his managerial career, Guardiola insisted that he was not feeling the pressure of the surrounding situation. 

    After winning 18 trophies across his eight full seasons as City boss, he is determined to battle on with the help of the supporters. 

    "The fans know what these guys have done over the last decade," he added. 

    "They know we need the support, the players are human beings and will try everything to change the dynamic.

    "We just have to play and think about the next one [game]. I don't know another way. I don't feel sorry for myself."

    Guardiola did, however, insist that his side would be a lot higher in the table if he had a fully fit squad to choose from. 

    City have been without several players for much of the campaign, including long-term injury absentee Rodri, who is eyeing a return to action before the season is out. 

    "With all the squad this season we would be close to our level we reached last season," Guardiola said. 

    "In January we will talk internally as it depends on the situation we are in at that moment."

    It was confirmed by Guardiola on Tuesday that John Stones would miss the visit of Nuno Espirito Santo's side, while Kevin De Bruyne is nearing full fitness. 

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.