UEFA President Mocks European Super League Plans With Dig At Real Madrid And Barcelona

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has mocked new proposals for a breakaway European Super League. The ESL project is backed by Real Madrid and Barcelona.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has mocked new proposals for a breakaway European Super League.

The ESL project, backed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, would see a new 64-team European competition introduced, featuring three tiers - Star, Gold and Blue.

It aims to rival or even replace UEFA's Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League tournaments.

New plans for a European Super League were revealed on Thursday :: IMAGO/Herrmann Agenturfotografie

The idea of a Super League was first officially proposed in April 2021 but it failed to take off after heavy protests from fans.

Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid all agreed to join in 2021.

But 10 of those clubs swiftly pulled out after a supporter backlash, as well as threats from UEFA and FIFA.

However, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday that UEFA and FIFA were breaking competition law by threatening to sanction clubs that signed up to a European Super League.

An hour after that court judgement, A22 Sports Management revealed its updated plans for the Super League.

Real Madrid and Barcelona then published statements showing their support for the proposed new event.

But Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid all expressed their commitment to UEFA-organized tournaments and not the ESL.

UEFA chief Ceferin then hit back at Real Madrid and Barcelona by defiantly suggesting that the two Spanish clubs will struggle to create a super tournament without the support of their fellow European giants.

As quoted by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ceferin said on Thursday: "We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want.

"I hope they start their top competition as soon as possible… with two clubs.

"Football is not for sale."

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has mocked the new plans for a Super League :: IMAGO/Schuler