“We believe we have the right to organize competitions with UEFA within the European community,” said the 75-year-old.
The dispute over the establishment of a European Super League in football will be brought to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in mid-July. Oral hearings are scheduled for July 11 and 12 at the highest European court in Luxembourg. The lawsuit was filed by the European Superleague Company in a court in Madrid, which in turn appealed to the ECJ. It is aimed at both the European football union UEFA and the world association FIFA. According to the ECJ, the twelve founding clubs around Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus Turin are also the shareholders of the European Superleague Company, which is now suing.
Pérez was a leading figure in calling for Europe’s elite clubs to secede from UEFA competitions and the chairman of the Super League proposed last year. He described the current structure of European football as a “monopoly” to the benefit of UEFA. Asked if he was afraid Madrid could be banned from the Champions League after UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin threatened to do so, Pérez said: “We’ve never been that afraid.”
As early as April 2021, twelve top clubs announced the formation of a super league, but quickly rejected the plan after massive protests from leagues, associations and fans. In addition to Juve, Real and Barcelona, the two Milan clubs AC and Inter, Atlético Madrid as well as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City were among them.
Meanwhile, UEFA is apparently planning a new competition. After a new report on plans for a prominent mini-tournament before the new 2024 European Cup season, the continental association has confirmed corresponding considerations. The idea had been discussed by the UEFA club competitions committee, but there had not yet been a formal decision on the concept, the association told dpa on Thursday.
The French sports newspaper “L’Equipe” published further information on the considerations on Tuesday. Accordingly, before the 2024 Champions League season, the defending champion could hold a mini-tournament in knockout format in the USA with three other strong teams from the past competition in mid-August.
According to the newspaper, the winners of the Europa League and Conference League could compete for the European Supercup, which the winners of the Champions League and Europa League have played so far. The Champions League will be increased from 32 to 36 participants from summer 2024 and will be played in the group phase according to a new format with four groups of nine.
Source: Nachrichten
