ISTANBUL: UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin on Thursday said “football is not for sale” in response to new proposals for a Super League.
The remarks came after a European Court of Justice ruling that UEFA and FIFA contravened EU law by stopping the formation of the European Super League (ESL) in 2021.
“We have never tried to stop the project. They can do whatever they want, I hope they start as soon as possible with two clubs,” Ceferin told a virtual press conference. “I hope they know what they are doing, but I am not sure.”
Sports development company A22, which was formed to assist with creating the ESL, has proposed a new competition with 64 men’s and 32 women’s teams playing midweek matches in a league system across Europe.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said “today’s judgement does not change anything, really.”
“FIFA will continue to do so, as always, in close cooperation with our Member Associations, with the Confederations and with all the stakeholders of football for the exclusive benefit of our
game – globally. All together!,” Infantino added.
Turkish Football Federation also released a statement to reaffirm its opposition to the European Super League, saying “the federation will continue to work to move football further under the leadership of UEFA.”
The European Super League was initially launched with 12 founding members – Real Madrid Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona.
FIFA and the UEFA objected to the project and threatened to impose sanctions on clubs and players who join the breakaway competition.
Most of the clubs involved quickly distanced themselves, and only Real Madrid and Barcelona have said that they are still interested in the ESL.
Source: Anadolu Agency