Real Madrid president Florentino Perez – chairman of the proposed European Super League breakaway group – has proposed shortening football matches to regain the interest of new generations of fans.
Perez, recently re-elected unopposed in Madrid for another four years, became the first senior figure involved in the Super League project to speak out in an extensive late-night Spanish television on Monday.
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The 74-year-old claimed the plans are intended to “save football in general” from declining interest rates and diminished earnings as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Football needs to change and adapt,” he told El Chiringuito during the 90-minute interview. “We need to analyze why young people, 16-24 year olds, 40% of them are not interested in football. Why? Because there are a lot of low quality games and they have different entertainment platforms.”
“It’s a reality. They say the games are too long. We have to change something if we want football to stay alive. Sometimes we don’t understand our children or grandchildren.”
“It’s different generations, the world is changing. If young people don’t watch a whole match, it’s because it’s not interesting enough, otherwise we’ll have to shorten the matches … There are matches that even I can. Don’t watch them all. , to be honest. “
The Super League’s proposals met fierce criticism from football’s governing bodies, including UEFA and La Liga – who called it an ‘selfish, selfish proposal designed to further enrich the already super rich’ – as well as supporter groups and others. top clubs that are not on board.
Perez also said a change was needed in international football, arguing that “we have too many matches, there are international tournaments that people don’t even know the names of” and argued that the European Super League would be in addition to a secondary European competition. can exist. run by UEFA.
He said the European Super League would be implemented “as soon as possible” and would not rule out an attempt to introduce it in time for next season.
In the run-up to Real Madrid’s trip to Cadiz in La Liga on Wednesday, coach Zinedine Zidane declined to be involved in any plans for a breakaway or rumors that his side could be removed from the Champions League semi-finals.
“We’re not even talking about it. We’re only talking about one thing, tomorrow’s game,” said Zidane.
“I’m here to talk about the game tomorrow, the league, the Champions League. The rest is not my job. I will not give you my opinion. I understand, you can say that I am not saying what I think. And “Don’t say anything. Why? Because I like my job, what I do, that’s what I like. The rest … what’s in it for you?”