Sunday’s Super League announcement has so far received an overwhelming negative response, strong and completely emotional. This is to be expected, but it is not something that will help us to resolve the situation.
On Tuesday, with a few calmer words, we seemed to be making some progress towards some kind of resolution.
At the UEFA emergency meeting, the authorities decided not to ban Super League teams from the rest of this year’s European competitions. According to ESPN sources, next week’s programs will continue as planned, with Chelsea taking over Real Madrid and Manchester City taking over PSG (who is one of the “good guys” here, hilarious enough) in the Champions League and both Manchester United and Arsenal continue. travel to the Europa League.
Although it would not have made sense to ban teams, the movement would have found a lot of popular support.
Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who came down yesterday in the strongest terms against the Superliga and his clubs, now offers an olive branch and a way back from this edge. (It should also be noted that, as I mentioned yesterday, UEFA is also working to secure a € 6 billion funding package, which would overshadow the original Super League capital of € 4 billion. Of course, it’s about the money in the End.)
UEFA are preparing a counterattack in the Superliga. UEFA is working with the British investment fund to create a new LOC that would have an initial budget of 4.5 billion euros, but could reach up to 7 billion euros.
– Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) April 20, 2021
“Gentlemen, you have made a huge mistake. Some will say it is greed, others (will say) to despise the arrogance, flippancy or complete ignorance of England’s football culture. Does not matter. What matters is that there is still time to change your mind. Everyone makes mistakes. Come back to your senses … “
-Aleksander Ceferin; source: AP through Detroit Free Press
Ceferin targeted the six English clubs in Dirty Dozen in an apparent strategy of division and conquest and could operate amid reports of rising disunity in the Super League camp, especially among the Premier League contingent. Manchester City and Chelsea, the two clubs that seem to have joined the last six – reluctantly, so as not to be left behind, but still joined … – it seems that now they have doubts.
According to The Guardian, the two Premier League semi-finalists are “shaking” in their commitment, especially in the light of extreme reactions and national governments and now FIFA is beginning to apply some pressure. The Premier League has also released a new statement condemning the Superliga after a meeting of the 14 non-SL teams today, although without further action (ie they do not even fire anyone).
“There is a lot to throw away for a short-term financial gain […] If some choose to go their own way, then they have to live with the consequences of their choice. They are responsible for their choice. Specifically, that means you’re either out or you’re out. You can’t be half out or half out. ”
-Gianni Infantino, FIFA President; source: Guardian
Chelsea’s players are among those concerned, Goal reporting that he met today with the club’s president, Bruce Buck, to allay these fears. Unfortunately, there are no other details provided in the report, although Buck probably reassured them somehow.
Chelsea are ready to face Brighton tonight, who will wear those funny “win it” shirts, as Leeds United did against Liverpool. There is also a protest from fans outside the bridge, as far as current pandemic conditions allow.
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Photo by Lee Smith – Pool / Getty Images