Official: Barca, Juve and Real reiterate ESL plan and criticise ‘contradictory position’ of founding clubs

By Isak Möller -

Milan have decided to leave the European Super League, like nine others of the founding clubs, as they didn’t want to be in a legal battle with UEFA. Three clubs are still part of the competition, though, still keen on the project. 

The clubs in question are Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid, not willing to back down from the project just yet as UEFA have used unwarranted methods to get the other clubs back. That is their view, anyway, as was confirmed by a joint statement.

They made it clear that the European Super League would benefit football and that the current structures in place won’t cut it. They also stated that it’s very unfortunate that nine of the founding clubs now find themselves in a ‘contradictory position’.

“The founding clubs have suffered, and continue to suffer, unacceptable third-party pressures, threats, and offenses to abandon the project and therefore desist from their right and duty to provide solutions to the football ecosystem via concrete proposals and constructive dialogue. This is intolerable under the rule of law and Tribunals have already ruled in favour of the Super League proposal, ordering FIFA and UEFA to, either directly or through their affiliated bodies, refrain from taking any action which may hinder this initiative in any way while court proceedings are pending.

“We regret to see that our friends and founding partners of the Super League project have now found themselves in such inconsistent and contradictory position when signing a number of commitments to UEFA yesterday. However, given that the material issues that led the 12 founding clubs to announce the Super League weeks ago have not gone away, we reiterate that, to honour our history, to comply with our obligations towards our stakeholders and fans, for the good of football and for the financial sustainability of the sector, we have the duty to act in a responsible manner and persevere in the pursuit of adequate solutions, despite the unacceptable and ongoing pressures and threats received from UEFA,” part of the statement read.

It remains to be seen how the saga will end but it’s clear that the aforementioned trio won’t back down without a fight. A high-risk high-reward situation, although it seems UEFA have already won.

READ MORE: Milan ready to almost double salary of star defender amid interest from PSG

Tags AC Milan Barcelona European Super League Juventus Real Madrid
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