Fifa-linked European Premier League ‘boring’, warns Uefa of Champions League rival
- Fifa has not denied plans for an 18-team European Premier League, which would rival Uefa Champions League
- ‘These ‘underground’ projects only look good when drafted at a bar at 5 in the morning,’ says La Liga boss Javier Tebas
Uefa warned on Tuesday of the damage that would be caused to football by the potential creation of a European super league of the continent’s elite clubs, potentially usurping its existing Champions League.
European governing body Uefa denounced the idea as “boring” after Fifa did not deny taking part in talks about creating a rival league featuring continent’s wealthiest clubs.
In a statement, Fifa did not push back on a Sky News report that it was developing plans for an 18-team annual European Premier League. Such a competition would directly challenge Uefa and potentially undermine its existing Champions League.
Uefa is already involved in talks about potential adjustments to the Champions League format and qualification path from 2024 and strongly resists breakaway threats.
“The principles of solidarity, of promotion, relegation and open leagues are non-negotiable,” Uefa said in a statement. “It is what makes European football work and the Champions League the best sports competition in the world. Uefa and the clubs are committed to build on such strength not to destroy it to create a super league of 10, 12, even 24 clubs, which would inevitably become boring.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is one of the driving forces of the reported European Premier League, which Sky said could have US$6 billion in debt financing from JP Morgan. A carefully worded response from Fifa stands in contrast to recent public comments that have forcibly and clearly denied reports it disputes.