Florentino Perez remains bullish over the Super League proposal as UEFA start disciplinary proceedings against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus over their refusal to back down from the plans.
The European Super League dominated the headlines earlier this year following the announcement of plans for a breakaway competition, each of the Premier League‘s ‘big six’ joining a host of Europe’s elite in announcing their intention to form a new competition.
The proposals received huge backlash from fans, players and leading figures within the game, leading to an embarrassing and hasty withdrawal from several sides involved, including each of the Premier League clubs.
Nine of the clubs have already received financial punishment from UEFA over their involvement, though the governing body are now pushing ahead with ‘appropriate action’ against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus after their refusal to withdraw interest and commit to current competitions.
“Following an investigation conducted by UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project,” the statement says, “disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Juventus FC for a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework.
“Further information will be made available in due course.”
It has been suggested that UEFA are looking to throw the three remaining clubs out of the Champions League for the upcoming campaign, however, Spanish publication, AS, are reporting that the clubs believe that UEFA will ‘not be able to execute such sanctions’, with Real Madrid president Perez having told the paper that he remains confident that ‘the battle is won’ for the Super League.
“The matter is well presented legally, and although the Curia of Europe takes an average of 16 months to resolve the appeals, in the end a judgment will come that can reverse the order of football and break UEFA’s monopoly with the Champions League.
“Ceferin knows it, and he is very nervous because the only thing that is worth is the court ruling and that, both he and his lawyers already have it, he has lost it. The battle is won for the Superleague, it’s only a matter of time.”
Perez also discussed the u-turn of the Premier League sides involved in the controversial plans, and believes their withdrawal was for political reasons rather than fear over possible sanctions from UEFA.
“Those who left the project did so under pressure from the British government rather than for fear of UEFA,” Perez told the Spanish paper.
“Everyone has interests in Britain that go far beyond football, and [Boris] Johnson warned with legislating against the project. In the middle of Brexit, it was not good for an inclusive competition to be created, full of English teams. It was a political issue.”
Read – What next for Lille’s title winners? Five players already being eyed by Europe’s elite
Read Also – Remembering every one of Manchester United’s European finals
Subscribe to our social channels:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
