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Tag: Super League

  • European Court of Justice rules in favour of Super League

    European Court of Justice rules in favour of Super League

    The European Court of Justice on Thursday ruled in favour of the Super League and handed a fresh blow to both FIFA and UEFA.

    According to ECJ the two football governing bodies cannot abuse their power, block the formation of the new league or ban the clubs planning to participate in the competition.

    “The powers of FIFA and UEFA are not subject to any such criteria. FIFA and UEFA are, therefore, abusing a dominant position. Moreover, given their arbitrary nature, their rules on approval, control and sanctions must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services,” the statement read in part.

    “That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved. The Court does not rule on that specific project in its judgment.”

    FIFA and UEFA had argued that A22, the backers of the Super League, were breaking the law.

    Just two Spanish La Liga clubsides, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only two still rooting for the emergence of the Super League.

     

    Many other European clubsides initially supporting the commencement have withdrawn for backing the Super League.

    Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan were also involved but have now all left.

  • Chelsea co-owner sends Super League message to Real Madrid, Barca

    Chelsea co-owner sends Super League message to Real Madrid, Barca

    Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali has hinted they’re unlikely to join the new Super League.

    Chelsea were one of the clubs, along with Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid to exit the plans to launch the ESL in March of 2021 less than 48 hours after the project was revealed.

    Chelsea co-owner and Clearlake Capital co-founder Eghbali, who was appearing at the Sportico Invest in Sports conference in New York on Wednesday, told football.london: “I think the sport needs more premium high quality matches and content but it doesn’t have to be a Super League.

    “Todd [Boehly] went there on an All-Star Game, the baseball talent competition or draft generates £200million to £300million of revenue on a Monday or Tuesday each year, none of that exists in the EPL. Could there be an EPL versus Serie A game? Could you see pre-season matches producing more premium content on the pitch? You could.

    “But structurally, given how botched that episode was does anybody have any appetite for something like that? A couple of teams in Spain do and they are vocal about it, but everyone else doesn’t want to go there anymore.”

    For the moment, the new Super League is being driven by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.

    Tribalfootball

  • Judge orders all action against Super League clubs be dropped

    Judge orders all action against Super League clubs be dropped

    A Madrid judge has ordered all financial and legal sanctions brought against the 12 clubs involved in the attempted Super League breakaway to be cancelled with immediate effect.

    The Daily Mail reports Judge Manuel Ruiz de Lara, who presides over a commercial court in Madrid, has taken aim at UEFA, the Premier League and Italian Serie A, claiming they attempted to ‘annihilate’ his attempts to defend the European Super League clubs in April.

    The clubs involved were Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

    In that first ruling on April 20, the judge declared UEFA must not threaten clubs wanting to participate in the Super League or do anything that might deter them from joining.

    However, that has not stopped UEFA and the Premier League reaching ‘agreements’ with nine of the errant clubs, which will result in them accepting financial sanctions and future penalties.

    And it has also done nothing to prevent UEFA from opening a disciplinary investigation into the three remaining rebel clubs, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus, which have refused to recant.

    Bu Judge Ruiz de Lara stated in his ruling: “These actions… constitute a flagrant violation of the order… of 20 April 2021.

    “These are not isolated acts (…) but a succession of acts and statements forming part of a strategy devised by the defendants with the aim of provoking the ineffectiveness of a court decision.

    “The opening of disciplinary proceedings against Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona constitutes a clear breach of the interim measures granted by the Order of 20 April 2021.”

    In his ruling, Judge Ruiz de Lara, has instructed UEFA that the three unrepentant clubs must be allowed to compete in the Champions League next season.

    He has also told UEFA to abandon all disciplinary action against the three rebels, or risk “serious financial and criminal sanctions”. Under Spanish law anyone ignoring a court order could face up to one year in prison.

    In addition, the nine clubs that abandoned the ill-fated project within two days of its launch, which includes the six English clubs and Inter Milan, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, should be freed from the ‘agreement’ they made with UEFA in the aftermath of the scheme.

    This includes an obligation to pay £13 million to a solidarity fund, forgo five percent of income from European competition next year and pay a £86 million penalty if they ever try to join a Super League again,

    The judge then directed his fury at the Premier League, insisting that UEFA has to tell the English top flight that all actions against the Big Six – Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea – must be ‘annulled’.

  • Perez warns EPL clubs: You can’t leave Super League

    Perez warns EPL clubs: You can’t leave Super League

    Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists the founding members of the European Super League cannot leave.

    The six Premier League clubs involved – Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea – have since withdrawn due to a public backlash, along with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.

    Real, Barcelona and Juventus remain, but Florentino says: “We are calm, because of what we have, we have won. The English teams were coerced.

    “They signed something they shouldn’t have signed, because they are committed to the Super League. They wanted to punish them, and the courts have said no.

    “There is a binding contract and no-one can leave. The Super League continues. We went to the judge who made a ruling and said the Super League cannot be touched. UEFA cannot do anything to the people or the clubs.

    “It’s stopped. Now the court in Luxembourg must decide.”

    In attempting to justify the ongoing need for the ESL, Perez claimed Real Madrid had missed out on £430m (500m euros) due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

    “We have been working on this for two years,” he said to El Transistor. “It’s a format to prevent football, which is losing interest, from dying.

    “Real Madrid has suffered two very hard years. In two years we have missed out on 500m euros.

    “We are not excluding anyone, but everyone can’t be there. A Roma-Sampdoria has less interest than a Manchester-Paris Saint-Germain. The fans are in charge here.”

  • Super League 6 agree a combined £22m settlement with Premier League

    Super League 6 agree a combined £22m settlement with Premier League

    A financial settlement worth a combined 22 million pounds (31 million dollars) has been reached between England’s six Super League rebel clubs and the Premier League, the PA news says.

    Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham announced themselves as founder members of the competition on April 18.

    The clubs later withdrew within 72 hours amid fan protests and opposition from the Premier League, UEFA, FIFA and even the British Government.

    The clubs indicated their intention to remain in the Premier League, but their involvement in the Super League would have had a negative competitive and commercial effect on the English top flight.

    Sky News reported the settlement on Wednesday afternoon and sources within one of the clubs had subsequently told PA that agreement has been reached.

    The clubs are facing a 25 million pounds fine and 30-point deduction if there are further attempts to break away.

    It is understood the money will go to grassroots and community projects, rather than to the other Premier League clubs.

    A statement from the league is anticipated later on Wednesday.

    The Premier League conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Super League’s foundation.

    Its Chief Executive, Richard Masters said in May that the probe would be conducted “efficiently, justly and appropriately”.

    It is reviewing its regulations and drafting a new Owners’ Charter to prevent a repeat.

    A Football Association inquiry into the issue is ongoing, while it is understood to be working with Government on strengthening sports organisations’ powers in relation to the UK’s competition laws.

    After senior sources at the FA admitted it was “50-50” whether any legal attempt to block the breakaway would have succeeded as things stand.

    The Premier League peace deal follows a similar one struck between nine of the original 12 Super League clubs and European football’s governing body UEFA.

    It announced a ‘Club Commitment Declaration’ on May 7, effectively tying the clubs to existing domestic and international competitions on pain of tough financial sanctions if a future breakaway was ever attempted.

    The clubs agreed to pay a combined 15 million euros goodwill contribution to benefit children’s football and the grassroots game.

    While the withholding of five per cent of any UEFA competition revenue due to them for one season to be redistributed among other clubs.

    The Glazer family and Fenway Sports Group agreed to cover these costs related to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.

    It is understood FSG will cover Liverpool’s share of the Premier League settlement too, which amounts to 3.7 million pounds.

    The nine clubs face fines of 100 million euros each from UEFA in the event of any future breakaway attempt, the European governing body said in May.

    The three clubs which have still not renounced the Super League – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus – have had disciplinary proceedings opened against them by UEFA, with reports suggesting a Champions League ban is possible.

    Those clubs had though mounted legal moves in their defence, claiming UEFA was in violation of European Union competition law in attempting to block the league and in threatening to sanction them.

  • Two La Liga giants and Seria A club refuse to leave Super League

    Two La Liga giants and Seria A club refuse to leave Super League

    Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have issued a joint statement refusing to abandon the Super League, despite what they claim to be ‘unacceptable pressure and threats to do so, and will continue to pursue similar concepts in the future’.

    After fans pressure forced the competition’s collapse with 48 hours of is launch, nine of the original 12 clubs that signed up to join the failed Super League have now agreed to sanctions imposed by UEFA and pledged their future commitment to existing international and domestic club competitions.

    Those that have accepted punishment for their actions that threatened the very nature of sport are Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Inter AC Milan and Atletico Madrid. But Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have refused to back down.

    UEFA say they will face ‘appropriate action’, while the others have already agreed to giving up 5% of revenue from one seasons’ worth or European competition and an aggregate donation of €15m.

    The stubborn trio continue to claim the Super League was for ‘the good of football’, despite concentrating ridiculous wealth in what was intended to be virtually a closed competition, and that it would ‘reinforce global interest’ in football.

    They say they will ‘reconsider the proposed approach’ but claim it would be ‘highly irresponsible’ to abandon the project altogether because of what they call a ‘systemic crisis’ in the football industry.

  • Super League clubs at war with eachother over break-up

    Super League clubs at war with eachother over break-up

    The Super League breakaway group are at war with each other.

    The New York Times reports Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are now threatening legal action against the clubs preparing to withdraw from the project.

    It comes as only nine of the 12 founder members agreed to a peace deal with UEFA on Friday and accepted being fined millions of pounds.

    The three European giants who are yet to renounce the Super League have warned their former partners they will extract millions of dollars in penalties if they walk away from the league.

    But Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are set to face “appropriate action” under UEFA’s disciplinary process after failing to distance themselves from the Super League, with the organisation’s chief Aleksander Ceferin praising the nine clubs who had “quickly realised their mistake”.

    Ceferin said: “I said at the UEFA Congress two weeks ago that it takes a strong organisation to admit making a mistake especially in these days of trial by social media. These clubs have done just that.

    “In accepting their commitments and willingness to repair the disruption they caused, UEFA wants to put this chapter behind it and move forward in a positive spirit.

    “These clubs recognised their mistakes quickly and have taken action to demonstrate their contrition and future commitment to European football. The same cannot be said for the clubs that remain involved in the so-called ‘Super League’ and UEFA will deal with those clubs subsequently.”

  • I don’t recognise Arsenal anymore – Thierry Henry

    I don’t recognise Arsenal anymore – Thierry Henry

    Arsenal legend Thierry Henry says he doesn’t recognise the Gunners any more after their involvement in the Super League fiasco.

    Arsenal were named as one of the 12 founding teams as plans for a controversial breakaway were announced last week, sparking a fierce public backlash across the football community.

    Arsenal supporters are calling for the removal of Stan Kroenke and the KSE ownership group that put the club forward for the Super League, with Henry of the opinion they have shown they care more about making money than running a successful football team.

    “I do not recognise my club and what happened just now, with them trying to join a league that would have been closed, makes no sense to me,” the Gunners legend told The Telegraph. “They have been running the club like a company, not a football club, and they showed their hand.

    “Maybe it’s a lack of understanding of the core football values and maybe the money was too big of a temptation. Whatever it was, they got it wrong. Badly wrong.”

    Henry added: “I was genuinely shocked like most people and couldn’t believe what was unfolding. I have never talked before, but what happened recently made me realise fans, this is your club. It is your club and I’m an Arsenal fan too.

    “I’m proud of what the fans achieved. Not just Arsenal fans, all the fans. The result was a victory for football.”

  • Abramovich ‘deeply regrets’ Chelsea involvement with Super League

    Abramovich ‘deeply regrets’ Chelsea involvement with Super League

    Owner Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea board say they “deeply regret” the decision to join the controversial European Super League.

    They were one of six Premier League clubs to join only to withdraw 48 hours later following a furious backlash.

    Chelsea fans held a protest on Tuesday to make their feelings known.

    “The owner and board understand that involving the club in such a proposal was a decision we should not have taken,” the club said.

    “It is a decision we deeply regret.”

    Chelsea added that the initial decision to join the Super League was taken because they did not want to risk “falling behind” their English and European rivals.

    However, they said they quickly recognised that their involvement risked damaging the club’s reputation.

    “We have taken time since withdrawing from the ESL to speak directly the various supporter groups and listen to their views and concerns,” the Blues added.

    “Our ambition with Chelsea has always been to make it the best club in the world, both on the pitch and in how we work with, and give back to the community off it.”

  • European Super League a bad idea – Solskjaer

    European Super League a bad idea – Solskjaer

    Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has branded the Super League a “bad idea”.

    Solskjaer discussed the week’s events today.

    “I am happy the fans have voiced their opinion and we have listened to them,” he said. “It has brought the football pyramid together.

    “I am a supporter myself. There will be a day when I come back and watch Man Utd. I didn’t like the concept.

    “We have been pioneers. We had the Busby Babes. We want to be part of European campaigns. But you can’t just give it out because of your name. You have to earn the right to be there. You need a fear of failure. That wasn’t there. It was a bad idea.”

    Solskjaer also spoke of Ed Woodward’s resignation as vice-chairman.

    “Football is emotions and emotions run high in football,” said Solskjaer.

    “I’ve had a very good working relationship with Ed, the club will have to move on without him and I’m sure Manchester United will always move on.

    “I’ll work as long as Manchester United want me to work here and hopefully we can end this season successfully and Ed is part of that.”