UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin told the 12 clubs planning to form a breakaway European Super League, including Juventus, AC Milan and Inter, that it is not too tale to halt the move, which has sparked a massive backlash.
"Gentlemen you have made a huge mistake," Ceferin said as he
opened the UEFA Congress in Montreux.
"Some will say it is greed, others ignorance, arrogance .
"It doesn't matter. There is still time to change your mind.
"Everyone makes mistakes".
UEFA and the soccer authorities of Italy, Spain and England have
said the 12 clubs risk being ejected from their domestic
championships if they press ahead with plans for a midweek Super
League, which would rival the UEFA Champions League and feature
20 teams, including 15 permanent members who would not need to
qualify.
Inter, Juve and Milan told an informal video-conference meeting
of Serie A on Monday that they want to remain in the Italian top
flight, sources said.
Although he did not directly back up Ceferin over his threat to
exclude players from Super League clubs from their national
teams, FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino issued a strongly worded
statement that left now doubts about whose side he was on.
"At FIFA, we can only strongly disapprove the creation of a
Super League which is a closed shop, which is a breakaway from
the current institutions," Infantino said.
"There is no doubt whatsoever of Fifa's disapproval. Full
support to UEFA.
"It is my task and our task to protect the European sports
model, club competitions, national teams. If they choose to go
their own way, they must live with their choice.
"They are either in or out.
"They cannot be half-in and half-out.".
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