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Perez Comes Out Swinging In Defence Of New Super League

    Advertisement Newly appointed president of the European Super League and current president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez has defended the controversial breakaway league … Continue reading Perez Comes Out Swinging In Defence Of New Super League


(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 3, 2018 Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez poses upon arrival at the 2018 Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Grand Palais in Paris. Twelve of Europe’s most powerful clubs announced the launch of a breakaway European Super League on April 19, 2021 in a potentially seismic shift in the way football is run, but faced accusations of greed and cynicism. Six Premier League teams, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham are involved, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez, who was announced as the first ESL president, said the breakaway reflected the big clubs’ wishes. FRANCK FIFE / AFP

 

(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 3, 2018 Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez poses upon arrival at the 2018 Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Grand Palais in Paris.
FRANCK FIFE / AFP

 

Newly appointed president of the European Super League and current president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez has defended the controversial breakaway league as a necessity to salvage the dwindling financial resources of clubs.

Perez is adamant the league will go ahead as planned whether club giants like Paris Saint-German or Bayern Munich agree to join or not.

In an interview on Monday night with El Chiringuito TV, the Real Madrid boss gave reasons for the breakaway

“Many important clubs in Spain, Italy, and the UK want to find a solution to a very bad financial situation,” he said.

“The only way is to play more competitive games. If instead of playing the CL, Super League helps the clubs to recover the lost earnings.”

 

An Arsenal fan stands with his anti-European Super League banner outside the Emirates Stadium, home of English Premier League football club Arsenal, in north London on April 19, 2021. 

 

Further laying claim to his view, he dismissed any notion that the competition was elitist as smaller clubs had a chance to play in the tournament.

“The attractive thing in football is playing between big clubs, the value for television increases and more income is generated,” he stated.

“It’s not just the rich who want the #SuperLeague, we’re doing it to save football because it’s at a critical moment.”

Perez also assured players and clubs of no penalties if they joined the Super League

“Players banned from international competitions and National teams according to UEFA? Don’t worry, this will NOT happen.”

“Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea as the other clubs of #SuperLeague will NOT be banned from the Champions League or domestic leagues. 100%, I’m sure. Impossible.”

Speaking on the proposed new Champions League format for 2024, Perez called it “absurd” insisting his goal for the Super League was to save football.

 

A Leeds United player wears a T-shirt with a slogan against a proposed new European Super League during the warm up for the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on April 19, 2021.
Clive Brunskill / POOL / AFP

 

He also said invitations had not been sent to Ligue 1 Champions and UEFA Champions League winners but their refusal will not hamper the progress of the league.

“We have not invited PSG yet, we’re gonna talk with many clubs and explicate them about the #SuperLeague project. If Bayern refuses to join it won’t cancel, don’t worry. We also will hire some of the best referees in the world,” he said.

Already, there are pockets of protests in some cities in Europe, and on Monday evening, Leeds United players wore T-shirts with a slogan against a proposed new European Super League during the warm-up for the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds.

Top players and officials have also spoken against the new competition.