After the split, the war began. As expected, the world of football finds itself split after the decision of the 12 European clubs to launch the Super League with an unprecedented act: UEFA continues its own path, approving the new format of the Champions League (from 2024) and threatening heavy exclusions. for the “rebels”, while executives, former players and fans have been taking a stand since this morning. The statement by Hans-Joachim Watzke, managing director of Borussia Dortmund stands out: “The members of the ECA Council have confirmed that the clubs want to implement the planned reform of the Uefa Champions League and it was clear that the plans to found the Super League had been rejected. Both German clubs represented on the board, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, have agreed on the discussions that have taken place ». The two main German teams, therefore, say no to the Super League and PSG has also slipped away, given that its president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was present at the UEFA meeting as a member of the Executive Committee and voted for the new Champions.
And in Italy? The Sassuolo CEO has already taken a position (“We have been mocked, so they risk killing the league,” said Carnevali), while other teams are calling for the ouster of Juve, Milan and Inter from Serie A. ” ‘is the abyss – comments Renzo Uliveiri, president of the Coaches’ Association – and football risks having a bad end, because it is in bad hands. These are reduced visions and those who think only of profit have little road ahead: the system does not only concern economic interests, the system stands from the foundations. We must all work together especially in this moment of recovery, to revive the love and passion for this sport ».
The opinion of Marco Tardelli, world champion and Juventus flag, was also negative: “Sport is not just business and I only know that this is wrong: they do what they want, I don’t play anymore”. And Roberto Boninsegna, a former Inter striker, is even tougher: «It’s a stuff for the rich, contrary to the popularity of football, I don’t know what jumped into his mind. It is already a failure from the start, they must all be disqualified ». Gigi Riva, symbol of the blue and Cagliari Scudetto, spreads his arms: “It is a sick evolution of football, but I fear that nothing can be done about it because the interests of the strongest clubs prevail”.
«Fans all over the world love the Champions League competition as it is. At the time of United we played four Champions League finals – recalls former coach Alex Ferguson – and they were always the most special evenings. Talking about a Super League is moving away from 70 years of European club football ». In England the supporters of Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, City and Liverpool have already expressed their condemnation of the project: “We are dismayed and we completely oppose this decision in their relentless and greedy search for the money that will kill football – comment the fans. of Liverpool gathered in the association “Spirit of Shankly -: football is ours, not theirs. Our football team is ours, not theirs ». The comment of Gary Nevill, Manchester United legend was very harsh: «I am disgusted, this is a disgrace and a criminal act. The owners of United and Liverpool, but also City and Chelsea, are imposters and have nothing to do with football in England. Punish these clubs and protect the fans: if Leicester win the Premier League, they should go to the Champions League. Not that teams like Tottenham. United or Arsenal, who are not even in the Champions League, can participate in an elite competition ». Even Gary Lineker does not use half words: «Football is nothing without its fans. We have seen this clearly in the past 12 months. If fans oppose this anti-football pyramid scheme, it can be stopped in the bud. “
«European Super League. No, thank you »: this is the post shared by Enrico Mentana, journalist and Inter fan, on his Instagram profile. “But are they crazy? An elite competition with almost fixed seats – says Carlo Cottarelli, economist and Inter fan -: already now they tend to always win the same. Instead of solving the problem, it is institutionalized. Had they done it years ago we would have had a century of Pro Vercelli … It seems crazy to me that on an economic level creates great confusion in the sector: this is to deny the effect of competition. It is an elitist thing that is against the competition that should exist in all sectors including the economy and football ».