Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Anfield on April 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England.
Shaun Botterill | Getty Images Sport | Getty images
Twelve of Europe’s biggest football clubs have agreed to create a Super League, despite widespread criticism of the plans.
A statement from the new league read: “AC Milan, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have all joined as founders.
“Three more clubs are expected to join ahead of the opening season, which should start as soon as possible.”
Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid and the first president of the Super League, said: “We will help football at every level and bring it to its rightful place in the world. Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four. billion fans and it is our responsibility as major clubs to meet their needs. “
The project is launched to rival UEFA’s Champions League format, which currently dominates European football, and it’s because UEFA would sign plans for an expanded and restructured Champions League on Monday.
The new Super League has been criticized by politicians such as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer, as well as former players such as Gary Neville.
Mr Johnson said the new league would “hit the heart of the national game and touch fans across the country.”
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He added, “The clubs involved must be accountable to their fans and the wider football community before taking any further steps.”
Sir Keir said the plans had ignored fans, adding: “Football in empty stadiums hasn’t been the same for the past year. I can’t wait to get back to the games. But this proposal threatens the fans’ door forever. closing them down to mere spectators and consumers.
“The clubs involved in this proposal must immediately rethink. And if they don’t, they have to face the consequences of their actions. Because football without fans is nothing.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “ I am not against the modernization of football leagues, we have the Premier League, the Champions League, but I think to make proposals amid COVID and the economic crisis for all. . clubs is an absolute scandal.
“United and the rest of the ‘Big Six’ who have signed up against the rest of the Premier League should be ashamed.”
Neville added, “They have to deduct six points from all six teams who signed up for this. Deduct points from all teams. To do it during a season? It’s a joke.”
Among other things, UEFA, the FA and the Premier League have expressed opposition by saying in a joint statement that they “remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project,” adding, “We thank those clubs in other countries,” especially the French and German clubs, which have refused to sign up for this.
“This persistent self-interest of some has been going on for too long. Enough is enough.”
The English Football Association said, “We do not authorize matches that are harmful to English football, and will take any legal and / or regulatory action necessary to protect the wider interests of the game.”
The Super League competition will see 20 participating clubs – 15 founding clubs and an additional five teams who can qualify annually based on their performance in the previous season.
It kicks off in August with clubs participating in two pools of 10 playing home and away games, some during the week, with the top three of each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Teams finishing fourth and fifth will compete in a two-legged play-off for the remaining quarter-finals before using a knockout format to reach the final in late May, which will be played as a single match on a neutral venue. .
Club players can continue to play in their national leagues and a women’s league will also be launched as soon as possible after the start of the men’s league.