Laporta issues statement on European Super League
He’s had plenty to say
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has issued a lengthy statement in the wake of news that the UEFA and FIFA acted unlawfully by trying to block a European Super League.
The European Court of Justice announced their decision on Thursday, leading to speculation that the controversial project could be resurrected. A new format has already been proposed by A22.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have been the only two clubs not to pull out, from the 12 original members, with Laporta taking time out to explain why he’s such a supporter of the plan.
“FC Barcelona, a club that is owned by its members and which receives no financial support other than what its activity can generate, has in recent months thoroughly analyzed the problems of European football in its current format which is our league benefits those clubs that can have unlimited financial resources and in some cases, outside the world of football.
“It is for this reason that, due to our history in the framework of European football, out of responsibility and above all in the interests of our members and fans we felt that we needed to ensure the present and future sustainability of the entity.
“We believe that the time has come for clubs, and even more so for those that are owned by their members, as is the case of FC Barcelona, to have greater control over their destiny, over their future and their own sustainability.”
Laporta went on to say that this did not mean he was against La Liga but that he thought the new plan would make for more balanced competition.
“I want to make it very clear in the first place that Barça ’s position on the issue of a new format of the European League does not intend to go against the Spanish League or the national Leagues in general.
“On the contrary, with better European competition and more resources for the clubs, the national leagues will become more balanced and competitive. What we want and what we will work to achieve is to establish an open and constructived dialogue with the aim of generating positive synergies between all parties.
“But in order to enter into the constructive debate to improve and reform the current structures of European football, clarification was required regarding the legal question was whether the current monopoly of UEFA is compatible with European law.
“Today, the resolution of the Euopean Court of Justice has great relevance for the future of our sport and proves us right by ruling that in the current status quo of European football there is a monopoly situation that is incompatible with the principles of European Law as we have long maintained.”
President @JoanLaportaFCB discusses the Super League sentence pic.twitter.com/BVW8QJl3fl
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 21, 2023
Quite what will happen now remains to be seen, although there is still plenty of opposition to the plan. Indeed Manchester United, Bayern, Dortmund, Atletico and Sevilla have already issued statements to show they remain against the European Super League.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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