Man City handed UEFA reprieve following European Super League withdrawal
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin declared himself “delighted” as Manchester City withdrew from the European Super League
City announced their intention to join the controversial breakaway league as a founder member on Sunday night.
But within 48 hours, they became the first club – Chelsea have also begun the process – to formally announce their exit.
For UEFA chief Ceferin, who has been fighting tooth and nail to keep the Champions League as Europe’s premier club competition, it is a major victory – and the first step in killing the ESL.
A City statement confirmed simply: ” Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.”
That led a jubilant Ceferin to welcome their decision and declare his intent to work with the club “for a better future” after admitting “a mistake”.
(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
A statement from the UEFA president said: “I am delighted to welcome City back to the European football family.
“They have shown great intelligence in listening to the many voices – most notably their fans – that have spelled out the vital benefits that the current system has for the whole of European football; from the world beating Champions League final right down to a young player’s first coaching session at a grassroots club.
“As I said at the UEFA Congress, it takes courage to admit a mistake but I have never doubted that they had the ability and common sense to make that decision.
“City are a real asset for the game and I am delighted to be working with them for a better future for the European game.”
City’s decision came after boss Pep Guardiola declared the plans for the Super League threaten to make football “not a sport”.
The Catalan declared: “If you ask me why these teams have been selected to play this hypothetical competition in the future… sport, is not a sport when the relationship between effort and reward does not exist.
“It is not a sport if success is guaranteed or if it doesn’t matter when you lose.
“I have said many times I want a successful Premier League, not just one team at the top. I don’t know if the statement will change and four or five teams will be able to go up.”
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