Formation Of Super League Will Have ‘Big Negative’ Implications For European Football, Including In Malta Too
The announcement of a breakaway European Super League has sparked wide condemnation from the global football community, with concerns raised that the system will benefit the continent’s elite football clubs at the expense of everyone else.
Even for Malta, the implications of the formation of a Super League is expected to undermine the financial stability of the country’s governing organisation and domestic clubs.
“There are big negative implications for all 55 member associations in Europe, including Malta,” Malta Football Association President Bjorn Vassallo told Lovin Malta.
“Europe works on a solidarity mechanism. The Super League will be based on a closed competition where the business will be making money for shareholders and clubs,” he said.
Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have agreed to create a Super League – a new midweek competition created so that teams can continue participating in their domestic leagues.
Those 12 teams confirmed for the ELS are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The ESL is being pitched as a rival to the renowned UEFA Champions League. However, in retaliation to the news, UEFA has since threatened to ban ELS players from all other domestic, European or world competitions, including the World Cup.
“The Champions League is a big revenue stream for UEFA and some important monies trickle down in solidarity to the MFA and its member clubs and associations,” Vassallo continued.
Critics of the Super League also include the England Football Association, the Premier League, the Spanish Football Federation, La Liga and the Italian Football Federation, and Serie A.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also spoken out against the formation of the new league, claiming that it would be damaging for football and “would strike at the heart of the domestic game”.
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Most notably, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville is being recognised for his impassioned speech on Sky Sport in which he said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the news.
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UEFA and its associate members will be convening this afternoon to discuss the matter of the ESL and what actions to take.
What do you make of the European Super League? Let us know below
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