UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin insists that the new European Super League format is 'even more closed' than it was in 2021. However, he hopes that 'their fantastic competition starts as soon as possible, with two clubs.'
Ceferin addressed the media on Thursday in response to a decision from the European Court of Justice, which sided with Super League organisers. The ruling stated that FIFA and UEFA are guilty of exploiting a dominant position.
Effectively, this verdict prevents FIFA and UEFA from prohibiting or penalising clubs and players participating in a tournament organised beyond their jurisdiction.
A22, the company behind the Super League, revealed a fresh format on Thursday, outlining that the tournament would be split into three leagues. Nonetheless, Ceferin strongly criticised this proposal.
“I watched the so-called presentation of A22. It’s hard to decide if you should be shocked or amused by the show. Even more closed than the 2021 edition that everyone rejected,” he said.
“We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. I hope they know what they are doing but I am not so sure about that.”
In La Liga, Barcelona and Real Madrid stand as the sole clubs presently engaged in the tournament, following Juventus' initiation of withdrawal proceedings in July 2023.
The Bianconeri have been gradually distancing themselves from the breakaway tournament after Andrea Agnelli stepped down as club President in November 2022.
Ceferin added that UEFA “will go through the [ECJ] decision” and “will see if we need to strengthen the authorization.
“It’s clear now that they are offering a closed competition which we knew all the time. We will not try to stop them,” he claimed.
The UEFA President added that winners of domestic leagues would qualify for the ‘Blue League’ which is the Super League’s third division so clubs like “Girona or Atalanta” wouldn’t be able to get access to the tournament.