The SPFL have voiced their opposition to the proposed ‘European Super League’ involving clubs from England, Spain and Italy, with chief executive Neil Doncaster calling it a “cynical and very worrying attempt to thwart the core principle of sporting merit.”
The proposals, which would see JP Morgan Chase finance the breakaway football league, have been widely panned by fans, pundits and clubs alike, and the SPFL have made it perfectly clear they also oppose the plans.
AC Milan, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have all joined as founding clubs but there is little detail behind their plans with UEFA threatening to exclude the clubs from the Champions League and Europa League.
Doncaster slated the proposed European Super League as being ‘financially catastrophic’ as he vowed the SPFL’s support in fighting to block the proposals harming the wider game.
“The SPFL stands alongside UEFA, the European Leagues, the English Premier League and the overwhelming majority of the game’s stakeholders in vehemently opposing the proposed European Super League,” a statement read.
“These proposals, or any like them, would have an enormously damaging impact on the very fabric of our sport at all levels. It is no surprise they have been so swiftly and overwhelmingly condemned by fans the world over.
“We believe that any such ‘competition’ would dramatically undermine the global appeal of football and would be financially catastrophic for all but a very tiny minority.
“The proposals we have seen, assembled by a small, self-selected group of very wealthy clubs, appear to be a cynical and very worrying attempt to thwart the core principle of sporting merit which rightly underpins European football. They represent a clear and present danger to the sport we all love.
“Now, more than ever, given what we have all been through over the past year, governments, together with the game’s governing bodies and leagues, need to work together to do what is right and protect the very essence of the game.
“The SPFL stands ready to support all efforts to fight for the principles of solidarity, sporting competition and fairness which lie at the very heart of the game.”
In other news, ‘Don’t think you can’: Keown says Arsenal simply can’t afford to sell their £15m man
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
