Twelve of Europe’s top football clubs announced on Sunday that they are launching a breakaway Super League in the face of widespread opposition from within the game and beyond.
Following are some reactions to the news:
WORLD SOCCER’S GOVERNING BODY FIFA IN A STATEMENT
“FIFA always stands for unity in world football and calls on all parties involved in heated discussions to engage in calm, constructive and balanced dialogue for the good of the game and in the spirit of solidarity and fair play. We will, of course, do whatever is necessary to contribute to a harmonised way forward in the overall interests of football.”
EUROPEAN SOCCER’S GOVERNING BODY UEFA IN A JOINT STATEMENT WITH SPANISH, ENGLISH AND ITALIAN LEAGUES AND FEDERATIONS
“UEFA, the English FA, RFEF, FIGC, the Premier League, La Liga, Lega Serie A, but also FIFA and all our member associations will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project that is founded on the self-interest of a few clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever. We will consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening.”
ENGLAND’S FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
“It is clear that this would be damaging to English and European football at all levels and will attack the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are fundamental to competitive sport.”
ENGLAND’S PREMIER LEAGUE
“Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best. We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream.”
UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON
“Plans for a European Super League would be very damaging for football. They would strike at the heart of the domestic game, and will concern fans across the country. The clubs involved must answer to their fans.”
JULIAN KNIGHT, CHAIRMAN OF THE DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT COMMITTEE OF BRITAIN’S HOUSE OF COMMONS
“Football needs a reset, but this is not the way to do it. The interests of community clubs must be put at the heart of any future plans.”
LABOUR PARTY’S ANDY BURNHAM, THE MAYOR OF GREATER MANCHESTER
“That phrase ‘the game’s gone’ always used to annoy me. But with VAR and now this, nothing else better sums up where we are. It’s the phrase of the day. #TheGamesGone.”
GABRIELE GRAVINA, PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION (FIGC)
“We have been always against a Super League. The only viable project is the Champions League reform promoted by UEFA.”
GERMAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (DFB)
“The German Football Association (DFB) is against the concept of a European Super League. It is the performance that determines promotion and relegation. Economic interests of a few clubs should not end the practiced solidarity in football.”
SPAIN’S LA LIGA
“The newly proposed top European competition is nothing more than a selfish, egotistical proposal designed to further enrich the already super rich. It will undermine the appeal of the whole game and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future of LaLiga, its member clubs, and all the entire footballing ecosystem.”
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
“The president of the Republic welcomes the position of French clubs to refuse to participate to a European football Super League project that threatens the principle of solidarity and sporting merit.”
EU COMMISSION VICE-PRESIDENT MARGARITIS SCHINAS
“We must defend a values-driven European model of sport based on diversity and inclusion. There is no scope for reserving it for the few rich and powerful clubs who want to sever links with everything associations stand for – national leagues, promotion and relegation and support to grassroots amateur football.”
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SPORTS GROUP
“The proposed closed competition of super-rich clubs would form a privileged caste outside the structures of European club football, with no other purpose than making profit.”
BORUSSIA DORTMUND CEO HANS JOACHIM WATZKE
“The board members of the European Club Association (ECA) came together for a virtual meeting on Sunday evening, where it was agreed that the board’s decision from last Friday still stands. This decision dictates that all clubs wish to implement the proposed reforms to the UEFA Champions League. The ECA board members took a clear stance in rejecting plans for the establishment of a Super League.”
ASTON VILLA CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHRISTIAN PURSLOW
“Does that sound like sport or football to you? To me, it sounds a grotesque concept.”
PRESTON NORTH END, ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP (SECOND-TIER) CLUB
“We are looking to Government, FIFA, UEFA, The FA, The Premier League and the EFL to ensure that this proposal is stopped in its tracks and the future of the English game as a whole is secured.”
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUPPORTERS’ TRUST
“Along with fan groups at Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, we wholeheartedly oppose the move to create a closed shop for Europe’s elite.”
THE ARSENAL SUPPORTERS’ TRUST
“The death of Arsenal as a sporting institution.”
LIVERPOOL SUPPORTERS GROUP SPION KOP 1906
“We, along with other groups involved in flags, will be removing our flags from The Kop. We feel we can no longer give our support to a club which puts financial greed above integrity of the game.”
FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED CAPTAIN GARY NEVILLE
“I’m disgusted with Manchester United and Liverpool the most. They’re breaking away to a competition they can’t be relegated from? It’s an absolute disgrace. The owners of Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City have nothing to do with football in this country.”
FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ALEX FERGUSON
“Talk of a Super League is a move away from 70 years of European club football. In my time at United, we played in four Champions League finals and they were always the most special of nights.”
PARIS ST GERMAIN MIDFIELDER ANDER HERRERA
“I love football and I cannot remain silent about this. I believe in an improved Champions League, but not in the rich stealing what the people created, which is nothing other than the most beautiful sport on the planet.”
FORMER ARSENAL MIDFIELDER LUKAS PODOLSKI
“This project is disgusting, not fair and I’m disappointed to see clubs I represented involved. Fight against this!”
