The European Super League, a breakaway competition that would feature only the continent's elite clubs, has been dominating the headlines as of late. This future tournament was brought to the forefront of discussion after recent remarks made by outgoing Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, with UEFA finally issuing a long-awaited statement regarding the issue.
The Blaugrana executive, who resigned yesterday ahead of a vote of no confidence referendum, revealed in his farewell message that the Catalan giants have agreed to a proposal to join the European Super League. While the move to join this tournament can only be rectified by the next board of directors, this is has all but confirmed Barcelona's desire, and probably that of Europe's other heavyweights, to establish a more lucrative competition.
"Today I can announce a piece of news that will extraordinarily change the club's revenue prospects for the coming years," the departing president announced in an official statement.
"The details of these requirements will be available to the next board of directors, and the decision on participation in this competition will have to be ratified by the next Assembly of Compromising Partners."
The first big-name to speak out against Bartomeu's words was Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga. He criticized this decision as one that "would be Barcelona's ruin", writing on Twitter: "Unfortunate Bartomeu statement on his last day about FC Barcelona joining a weak and imaginary competition which would be their ruin," Tebas wrote on Twitter.
"It confirms his ignorance about the football industry. Sad end for a president with successes and lately many mistakes."
Given that the European Super League, or the European Premier League as it was called in the recent report by Sky Sports, is said to be backed by FIFA and the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, and Real Madrid; many have been wondering what UEFA's stance on this matter is. Could this be backed by European football's governing body as a replacement for the Champions League?
This does not appear to be the case as UEFA have issued a statement, stressing their "strong opposition" to a European Super League. The ruling body told AFP (as per France 24) in response to Bartomeu's statement that president Aleksander Čeferin "has clearly indicated on several occasions UEFA is strongly opposed to a Super League".
"The principles of solidarity, promotion, relegation and of open leagues are non-negotiable," UEFA stated.
"This is what is behind European football and makes the Champions League the best sporting competition in the world."
It's unlikely that this statement will put talks of a European Super League on hold but it will be interesting to see how things unfold. 2022 is said to be the provisional start date but objections from UEFA could derail things.
