At Real Madrid’s Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, President Florentino Perez made a strong case for the controversial European Super League and leveled criticism against the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for its current approach to managing football competitions.
Perez opened his address by highlighting what he perceives as a significant institutional crisis in football, both in Spain and across Europe. He accused certain football administrators of neglecting fans’ interests and pledged to continue efforts to make football more appealing worldwide.
The crux of Perez’s argument centered around the European Super League, a project initially launched in April 2021 by 12 of Europe’s elite clubs, including Real Madrid. The initiative aimed to establish a new, closed competition separate from existing UEFA tournaments. However, the Super League faced immediate backlash from fans, players, and governing bodies, leading to the withdrawal of nine clubs, leaving only Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus as proponents.
The controversy surrounding the Super League escalated to a legal battle, culminating in a December 2022 ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) favoring UEFA. The final verdict on this matter is scheduled for December 2023, which Perez eagerly anticipates, hoping it will usher in a new era in football management.
In February, a revised version of the Super League was proposed, aiming to include 60 to 80 clubs in a multi-divisional format. However, this iteration too faced challenges, with Juventus announcing their withdrawal in June.
Perez used his platform to challenge the current football governance structure. He argued that the sport does not belong exclusively to UEFA or the president of La Liga, but rather to everyone involved, including fans. The Real Madrid president emphasized that the Super League’s objective is to create a superior club competition that aligns with fans’ interests and modernizes the sport.
Additionally, Perez called for strict adherence to financial fair play rules and the establishment of transparent, modern governance structures in football. He stressed that these structures should be in line with 21st-century standards and comply with European Union principles and laws.
In Perez’s view, UEFA’s current management of football lacks innovation, modernization, and transparency. He sees the upcoming ECJ decision as a potential turning point that could herald a new chapter in football governance, aligning the sport with contemporary expectations and global fan interests.
As the December verdict approaches, Perez’s advocacy for the Super League and his critique of UEFA’s management reflect broader debates within the world of football over competition formats, financial regulations, and the balance between tradition and innovation in the sport.
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