Following the CJEU’s ruling on the so-called European Super League on Thursday morning, the football and sports world has come out in force to once again reject the plans for a closed tournament which will cause irrevocable damage to the European football industry and sport beloved by millions around the world.
As LALIGA president Javier Tebas made clear, the “CJEU’s ruling does not authorise or endorse the Super League. The Super League has not been given the green light.”
Here’s a round-up of declarations and opinions from across the football world:
SPORTS INSTITUTIONS
Javier Tebas, President of LALIGA: “European football cannot be built only by the clubs with the most money or power. We can talk about how to move forward, but not towards models that are so far removed from reality… if this were to go ahead, football as we know it would disappear, and with it clubs, jobs and the livelihoods of many families. There are 52,000 footballers in Europe, 52,000 families who make their living from this, and we have to protect them and everyone around the industry.”
LALIGA: “Although the promoters of the Super League claim that this judgment is in their favour, the reality is that the CJEU has been clear in stating that it ‘does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved.’ The entire football ecosystem… has already spoken loud and clear to assert that they do not want a model that perpetuates the participation of a privileged few, restricting the pinnacle of European football to an elite rather than an open sport for all.”
Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA: “Football remains united. Any new competition has to be based on sporting merit. You cannot come up with projects that ignore this principle… A22 offers a closed competition even if they say otherwise. We are not going to stop them moving forward, but I hope they know what they are doing, which I doubt. Football is not for sale.”
Premier League: “The ruling does not endorse the so-called ‘European Super League’ and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept. 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.”
Bundesliga (DFL): “The DFL explicitly supports the European sports model and rejects competitions outside of those organised by the associations and leagues… National leagues are the backbone of professional football in Europe – socially, sportingly, and economically.”
Ligue 1: “We unequivocally support the competitions organised by UEFA. Nothing can replace the legitimacy, credibility and prestige of the European competitions as they have been organised for over 60 years now… sporting merit must govern the organisation of our sport.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President of ECA (European Club Association): “We don’t see this as a victory for them like they do. They talk about freedom, but it’s a closed league. We have been changing and reforming for a long time, not because of this, but to improve, and we will continue to do so. Football is united, clubs and national leagues.”
Pedro Proença, European Leagues: “We believe in national leagues, and we are against the Super League model. We are all committed to continuing together in this line. This resolution does not change anything about the thinking of the European leagues.”
GOVERNMENTAL BODIES
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission: “Europe’s core principle is solidarity. Our consistent support of a values-driven European sports model is non-negotiable. European football will always remain a vector of inclusion and cohesion. For the many. Not only the elites.”
UK Government (Department for Culture, Media & Sport): “The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government. We took decisive action at the time by triggering the fan-led review of football governance, which called for the creation of a new independent regulator for English football. We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that makes this a reality and will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.”
Tomasz Frankowski, MEP: “We reiterate our support for the European Sport Model based on values and solidarity with its a pyramid structure for the organisation of sport and a role for the sport federations, with whom we will continue to work to improve the existing system.”
CLUBS
Atlético de Madrid: “The European football community does not support the European Super League. Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (except for Real Madrid and Barcelona), etc. oppose the Super League. We advocate for protecting the broader European football family, preserving domestic leagues, and securing qualification for European competitions through on-field performance each season.”
Manchester United: “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
FC Bayern: “Such a competition would be an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the structure of European football… It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them… the door for the Super League remains closed at FC Bayern.”
PSG: “Paris Saint-Germain rejects wholly and completely any so-called Super League project, which has been the case since day one and will always remain the case. As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European Sports Model… most importantly for the fans and players, who are the heartbeat of football.”
AS Roma: “The club in no way endorses any so-called Super League project that would present an unacceptable attack on the importance of the national leagues and the foundations of European football… European football’s future well-being can only be secured through clubs working together through ECA in strong partnership and collaboration with UEFA and FIFA.”
SC Braga: “The judgement in no way validates or legitimises the so-called Super League. SC Braga reaffirms its commitment to collaborate, at ECA level and alongside hundreds of other clubs, to uphold the values that define European football.”
PLAYERS ASSOCIATIONS & FAN GROUPS
David Terrier, FIFpro Europe: “As representatives of players, we can say that they are unanimously against this idea. We are against the fragmentation of European football… we will work together with all stakeholders for the benefit of all, not of a few.”
Ronan Evain, Executive Director of Football Supporters Europe: “A22 is not the voice of European fans. There is no room for the Super League in European football. We hoped that this circus would have ended already… it is an unrealistic project, the rest of us shouldn’t have to pay for their ambition.”
Football Supporters’ Association (UK): “There is no place for an ill-conceived breakaway super league. Supporters, players and clubs have already made clear they don’t want a stitched-up competition… success must be earned on the pitch, not stitched-up in boardrooms.”
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