FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus Turin defended, Saturday, May 8, in a joint statement, the merits of the Super League by denouncing the “Pressures” of the European Football Union (UEFA), which sanctioned the other nine clubs at the origin of this project competing in the Champions League the day before.
Despite the withdrawal of these nine other clubs, Barca, Real and Juve hear “To persevere in the pursuit of adequate solutions, despite unacceptable pressures and threats from UEFA” :
“We are fully aware of the diversity of reactions to the Super League initiative and, therefore, of the need to reflect on the reasons for some of it. We are ready to reconsider the proposed approach if necessary. However, we would be highly irresponsible if (…) we were abandoning the mission of providing effective and lasting answers to the existential problems that threaten the football industry. “
On April 19, twelve very high-level clubs had ignited European football by presenting a project for an almost closed private league, competing with the Champions League. Two days later, faced with international outcry and the anger of supporters, nine of the twelve slingers gave up this Super League.
Financial sanctions against the nine slingers
On Friday, UEFA announced heavy sanctions against those clubs that returned to the ranks (Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan) after a deal in which the clubs present “Apologies” and recognize a ” mistake “.
In addition to each forfeiting 5% of their UEFA competition income for one season, they will together donate a total of 15 million euros turned into donations to “Local communities” European football, undertake to participate in the UEFA competitions for which they qualify and also undertake to pay a fine of 100 million euros if they seek to one day participate in a competition “Unauthorized”. They will also join the European Association of Clubs (ECA), which they had left at the time of their sling.
UEFA also said on Friday that the case of the three clubs that “Refuse to give up” in the Super League would be studied soon by the disciplinary bodies.
