Amazon has broken its silence on unpopular proposals to create a separatist European Superleague involving some of the largest football clubs in the world.
After refusing to comment on Monday, the streamer, who televises the Premier League games in the UK, released a statement today expressing his concern about the plans and clearly showing that he had no involvement in planning the competition.
The intervention is significant because Amazon has proven to be an active force in the sports market and would be the kind of partner that the European Super League hopes to attract when it comes to selling television rights.
Amazon Prime Video Statement on Proposed Super League: pic.twitter.com/FCHc94yDns
– Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 20, 2021
In its statement, Amazon said: “We believe that part of the drama and beauty of European football comes from the ability of any club to achieve success through their performance on the field.”
This is a reference to the fact that the European Super League is largely designed as a closed shop in which the same teams compete each season without the threat of relegation from the competition.
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Supporters of the separatist league include Premier League teams, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, as well as other big beasts of European football, such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus.
The idea was met by a widespread revolt across the continent, with many claiming that it is a vehicle for rapacious football owners to increase their income, while weakening existing domestic and international football competitions.
Amazon is following BT Sport, another major sports broadcaster in the UK, condemning the plans. In a statement on Monday, BT Sport said: “BT acknowledges the concerns raised by many of football’s most important voices and fans and believes that the formation of a European Super League could have a detrimental effect on the long-term health of football in this country. the country. ”
The European broadcaster Sky, owned by Comcast, was more neutral in its response. He said: “Sky Sports has passionately expressed the views of football fans on the importance of preserving and supporting the entire football pyramid. We are fully focused on supporting our long-term football partners in the UK and Europe, already offering fans the best live action from the best football competitions in the world and we have not been involved in any discussions with the proposed European Super Separatist . League.”
Experts and presenters also expressed their anger. BBC presenter Gary Lineker, Britain’s top sports host, has said he will never work in the European Super League. “To be clear: if it actually happens, I will never work on this European Super League,” he wrote on Twitter.