Super League president’s warning to Man Utd and Liverpool as clubs pull out
A warning from Super League president Florentino Perez still stands – despite Manchester United,Arsenal and Liverpool among the clubs to U-turn on joining the competition.
On Sunday night it was announced that 12 clubs had signed up to the controversial midweek competition that does not have the backing of any of the football regulators.
The Premier League’s traditional big six were part of the group, along with Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan from Italy and Real Madrid,Barcelona and Atletico Madrid from Spain.
The severe backlash from the footballing world, including protests from fans, saw the Premier League’s big six get cold feet.
And on Tuesday night, the six English clubs that signed up for the competition announced that they had changed their mind.
The Super League issued a defiant response in the face of the mass U-turn.
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“The European Super League is convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change,” read a statement. “We are proposing a new European competition because the existing system does not work.
“Our proposal is aimed at allowing the sport to evolve while generating resources and stability for the full football pyramid, including helping to overcome the financial difficulties experienced by the entire football community as a result of the pandemic.
“It would also provide materially enhanced solidarity payments to all football stakeholders.
“Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure put on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations as was demonstrated today by a court decision to protect the Super League from third party actions.
“Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.”
It is not yet clear what will happen next, as the six other clubs on the continent are still going ahead with the Super League, according to their official websites.
But Super League president Perez did warn that the contracts the 12 clubs signed on Sunday night are “binding” and suggested fines could be issued to any team that U-turns.
(Image: Getty Images)
“The contract of the Super League is binding. Nobody can leave, we will work altogether,” Perez told El Chringuito. “All the clubs signed the contracts last Saturday. There’s no problem.”
One man who is right behind these six clubs being hit with a fine by the Super League chief is Gary Neville, who on Tuesday night told Sky Sports: “Perez might have them on a £100million fine. I hope so.
“I hope Perez has got them on a massive fine to withdraw, the lot of them. And I hope they basically end up eating each other.”