A decision by twelve of Europe’s top football clubs to form a breakaway Super League has invited criticism and support in almost equal measure across board.
The announcement made of Sunday appears to be a fierce battle for control of the game and its lucrative revenue.
Football authorities and political leaders have condemned Super League, a rival to UEFA’s established Champions League competition.
Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus are among the top-flight members of the new league.
Super League condemned
UEFA has threatened to ban them from domestic and international competition and vowed to contest the move.
“The clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams,” UEFA said.
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have reaffirmed their support for UEFA’s position and condemned the establishment of Super League.
“The president of the republic welcomes the position of French clubs to refuse to participate to a European Football Super League project that threatens the principle of solidarity and sporting merit,” the French presidency said in a statement sent to Reuters.
Plans for a European Super League would be very damaging for football and we support football authorities in taking action,” Johnson tweeted.
“They would strike at the heart of the domestic game, and will concern fans across the country. The clubs involved must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps.”
Super League members
Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus are among the leading members of the new league but UEFA has threatened to ban them from domestic and international competition and vowed to fight the move.
Premier League clubs Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have also signed up to the plans.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid from Spain join Real. AC Milan and Inter Milan make up the trio from Italy along with Juventus.
The Super League said they targeting 15 founding members and a 20-team league with 5 other clubs qualifying each season.
No German or French clubs have yet to be associated with the breakaway.
