European Super League attracts football’s biggest clubs
The creation of the much talked-about European Super League has been officially announced, making top clubs in the continent to dump the once lucrative UEFA Champions League.
Daily Report Nigeria learnt that twelve of football’s biggest clubs in Europe have defied threats from their leagues and UEFA, announcing their taking part in the new breakaway league.
All twelve of football’s biggest clubs are set to pocket a whooping £3billion each for participation in the European Super League.
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Premier League big guns, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham have all declared their membership of the European Super League.
Spanish giants, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have confirmed their place in the competition, while Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan have decided to follow suit from the Italian Serie A.
Meanwhile, the managements of Serie A, Premier League and LaLiga had met with UEFA to release a statement, vowing to block the European Super League with measures that may include banning of clubs from playing in domestic competitions.
The twelve teams to participate in the Super League defied the threats, releasing statements to confirm they would be going ahead with plans for a new European Super League.
A statement from the newly formed group read, “Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have today come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new mid-week competition, the Super League, governed by its founding Clubs.
“AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have all joined as founding clubs.
“It is anticipated that a further three clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable.
“Going forward, the founding clubs look forward to holding discussions with Uefa and Fifa to work together in partnership to deliver the best outcomes for the new League and for football as a whole.
“Further, for a number of years, the founding clubs have had the objective of improving the quality and intensity of existing European competitions throughout each season, and of creating a format for top clubs and players to compete on a regular basis.
“The pandemic has shown that a strategic vision and a sustainable commercial approach are required to enhance value and support for the benefit of the entire European football pyramid.
“In recent months, extensive dialogue has taken place with football stakeholders regarding the future format of European competitions.
“The founding clubs believe the solutions proposed following these talks do not solve fundamental issues, including the need to provide higher-quality matches and additional financial resources for the overall football pyramid.
“As soon as practicable after the start of the men’s competition, a corresponding women’s league will also be launched, helping to advance and develop the women’s game.
“The new annual tournament will provide significantly greater economic growth and support for European football via a long-term commitment to uncapped solidarity payments which will grow in line with league revenues.
“These solidarity payments will be substantially higher than those generated by the current European competition and are expected to be in excess of €10 billion during the course of the initial commitment period of the Clubs.
“In addition, the competition will be built on a sustainable financial foundation with all founding clubs signing up to a spending framework.
“In exchange for their commitment, founding clubs will receive an amount of €3.5 billion solely to support their infrastructure investment plans and to offset the impact of the COVID pandemic.’
Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez will serve as the Super League’s first Chairman, with Liverpool’s John W. Henry, Manchester United’s Joel Glazer, Arsenal owner, Stan Kroenke and Juventus chief, Andrea Agnelli all appointed as vice-chairmen.
Perez said of the new breakaway Super League: “We will help football at every level and take it to its rightful place in the world. Football is the only global sport with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires.”
