21 December 2023 , 17:00
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The condemnation of the latest Super League proposals came swiftly and unequivocally.
First Manchester United, then Manchester City, then the Premier League and leading football figures. All quickly stated their opposition to a new freshened up European competition being proposed by A22, the company behind the original Super League idea which was shot down within 72 hours in 2021.
Back then 12 teams - including English clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - had signed up to the breakaway competition. They were greeted with a huge backlash. Widespread fury and condemnation from fans, European domestic leagues and even government, lead to the collapse of the plan.
This rehashed version, refloated after a European court ruling that UEFA did not have a monopoly on competitions, soon looked to be sunk for the foreseeable future, such was the almost unanimous opposition. Real Madrid and Barcelona, though, maintain an interest.
Yesterday there was no way the majority of clubs or organisations were going to allow itself to be caught flirting with the idea again. Manchester United and City, Bayern Munich, PSG led the way.
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Manchester United were first to release a statement backing the existing UEFA competition. It read: "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."
The Glazers were keen on the Super League in 2021 - but Man Utd are keeping their distance this time (Phil Duncan/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)Manchester City, while not making a new statement, pointed to its position two years ago disowning the proposal. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in June 2021: “Our assessment was wrong. We took a decision, I took a decision on this and I take full responsibility, it was a mistake.”
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich also said a Super League would undermine national leagues. CEO Christian Dreesen said: “Such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the statics of European football.
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “We are not available for the Super League”.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Borussia Dortmund, wants no part of the Super League (Getty Images)The Premier League rejected the idea saying: “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.
“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.
Pundit and Manchester United legend Gary Neville has had his say too, simply tweeting: “No thanks.”
PSG and European club’s chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi: "They see it as a victory but I don't see it at all. The [ruling] has nothing to do with the Super League. All the stakeholders in Europe are sticking together with the same goal... it will just make us better and stronger.”
Florentino Perez continues to give his backing to the European Super League (Getty Images)However there was a different reaction in Spain. Real Madrid and La Liga rivals Barcelona were among 12 clubs that signed up to the breakaway league. Those original plans collapsed within 72 hours, but both Real and Barca remain interested in pursuing the venture.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said the ruling represented a "great day for the history of football and for the history of sports.
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“Two conclusions of great historical significance. European club football is not and will never again be a monopoly. And secondly, that from today the clubs will be the masters of their destiny."
The Government said that it would bring forward legislation to stop English football clubs joining a breakaway competition.
The statement, from the Department for Media, Culture and Sport, was in response to today's decision from the European Court of Justice ruling that Uefa and Fifa's ban on clubs from joining leagues, such as the European Super League, was unlawful.
“The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government," read the statement.
“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.”
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta said: “We believe the time has come for clubs to have greater control of their destiny and sustainability. It is not against the national league.”
But a “Super League” is not imminent.