The announcement of the continent-wide competition, the European Super League (ESL), caused immediate backlash in 2021 when 12 founder clubs revealed their participation. At present, only Real Madrid and Barcelona persist as the sole survivors, with Juventus confirming their withdrawal in June of this year.
A definitive ruling on the ESL’s validity is scheduled for December 21 by the European Court of Justice. This ruling will determine whether UEFA and FIFA acted lawfully in opposing the league’s formation and pursuing sanctions against the involved clubs.
Speaking at Madrid’s annual general meeting, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez reiterated the need for the new competition, asserting its importance in revitalizing European football.
Perez emphasized, “The situation is very serious; either we react now or football will not survive. The main problem is that there are managers who act without thinking about the fans.
European football does not belong to the president of UEFA, nor does La Liga belong to its president. The Super League is more necessary than ever; the objective is to offer the best football, and it is the clubs that have to control their destiny.”
He highlighted the financial challenges faced by numerous clubs, expressing concern that the current situation is unsustainable. Perez called for stricter enforcement of Financial Fair Play rules, citing some clubs’ non-compliance without facing consequences.
Critiquing the new UEFA format starting from 2024/25, which involves 36 teams participating in a comprehensive table, Perez deemed it “an unusual and absurd project.” He argued that this model would further distance fans, particularly the younger audience.
Perez has consistently advocated for football to align with the preferences of younger fans, promising that the ESL would provide a more affordable viewing experience. He stated, “We have the obligation to offer the fans the best possible show. We also want to make access to televised football cheaper.
It makes no sense to have to pay 10% of your minimum wage to have access to watching football. The Super League was conceived to solve all these problems. I continue to trust in the justice of the European Union because UEFA does not have the right to a monopoly on football in the Europe of freedoms.”
This latest statement by Perez underscores his unwavering commitment to the concept of the European Super League and his criticism of the current state of European football governance.
