Twelve of Europe’s biggest football clubs have come up with a joint agreement to form a new European Super League which is meant to be an alternative or replacement to the UEFA Champions League. The Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’ joined Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and the two Milan clubs as the 12 of the 15 ‘founding’ members of the new 20-team breakaway league. The tournament would be an elitist event which would be held every year which would have no forms of promotion or relegation.
The plans have caused dismay amongst many key figures in the football industry as they seem to be a way for owners to make more money whilst taking it away from the sport at grass roots level. Prince William has blasted the damage the tournament could cause and has told footballing giants to protect the whole footballing family.
The sport needs to be played in a fair way where money is spread amongst all clubs in the Premier League, Football League and at grass roots level.
The Duke Of Cambridge who is President of the Football Association said he shared many of the concerns fans had and knew that it would cause major disruption for the whole football family.
In a statement given after his Grandfather Prince Phillip’s funeral on Saturday, the Duke raised his fears and said what damage the actions would do to the whole football family.
“Now, more than ever, we must protect the entire football community – from the top level to the grass roots – and the values of competition and fairness at its core,” the Duke of Cambridge wrote to Twitter today.
“I share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.”
“I share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.”
He added: “This move indeed goes against the very spirit of the game.
“A small handful of owners want to create a closed shop of elite clubs at the top, based on wealth, and brand recognition, rather than upon merit.”
He vowed not to “stand by” and watch football be transformed and leave fans shut out forever.
When asked about border rules which could ban players from entering the country, he said: “We will be considering those powers if it’s necessary.”
The plans were also blasted by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who said he wasn’t in favour of such measures. The claims came before Liverpool’s match with Leeds United where Leeds wore t-shirts with messages on stating that they were against the plans to create a European Super League.
Klopp also said the football should be based on merit and how well different teams play during the season. He immediately slammed the idea and stated that no one wanted to see a tournament where one team plays another every year.
“I heard I will resign. If times get tough it makes me even more sticky that I will stay,” he said after the game.
There have also been signs of dismay from people who play the sport including Liverpool captain James Milner who stated, “It [the current system] has worked well for a long time. What has made it special, what we have done over the last few years, is we have earned the right to win the Champions League and the Premier League. The product we have currently is very good.
“It is difficult. Coming into the game today Leeds fans were making their feelings shown. As players we don’t really have a say so it feels a bit unjust.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer said it was unfair for Klopp to have to address the ESL and end up in an awkward situation.
“He doesn’t want what his owners want and that is a really powerful voice,”
“Where are these owners? Why don’t they come out and tell us why they want a closed shop that no one gets in to.”
Politicians including the Prime Minister have said that they’ll do everything they can to avoid the new league going ahead as it would cause too much disruption.
