Barcelona remains committed to the Super League: 'It would be a historic mistake to go out'

Is the Super League still standing?

According to Florentino Pérez, yes 2:23

(CNN) -

Ten of the twelve founding members may have officially withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL), but FC Barcelona have reiterated their commitment to the idea.

On Tuesday, the ESL collapsed dramatically - less than 48 hours after its announcement - following the withdrawal of all six Premier League teams from the competition.

Italian clubs Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan followed suit, as did Atlético de Madrid.

However, despite continuous reactions from fans, government bodies and legislators, Barça announced its intention to go ahead with the ill-fated Super League, arguing the "need for structural reforms" in European football.

«In this context, the FC Barcelona board of directors accepted, with immediate urgency, the proposal to take part, as a founding member, of the Superliga, a competition designed to improve the quality and attractiveness of the product offered to football fans. football and, at the same time, and as one of the most inalienable principles of FC Barcelona, ​​to seek new formulas of solidarity with the entire football family, ”the team said in a statement on Thursday.

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“The decision was made with the conviction that it would have been a historical mistake to reject the opportunity to be part of this project as one of its founding members.

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"As one of the best sports clubs in the world, our intention will always be to be at the forefront, this being an indispensable part of the club's identity and of its sporting, social and institutional spirit," added Barcelona.

Barça's great rival in the League, Real Madrid, also remains committed to the Super League plan.

In a radio interview on Wednesday, the club's president, Florentino Pérez, said that the exclusive competition is on "standby."

However, Barça acknowledged the overwhelming reaction of the public to the formation of the Super League, saying that "there is no doubt ... that a much more in-depth analysis of the reasons that have caused this reaction is necessary."

What clubs are still in the Super League?

1:32

The clubs that were not invited to the European Super League

The Spanish La Liga club added that “it will reconsider, if necessary, and to the extent necessary, the proposal as it was originally formulated and will resolve all these issues, always for the good of the general interest of the world of football.

Such an in-depth analysis takes time and the composure necessary not to take any hasty action. '

On Thursday, La Liga met with the 39 clubs in its first and second divisions that were not invited to be part of the Superliga and issued a joint statement condemning the proposal.

"The clubs present at the meeting have unanimously and forcefully rejected the plans for this competition," the statement said.

“All clubs firmly believe in sporting merit as the sole criterion for accessing international club competitions through national leagues.

“Today, football fans across Europe can dream that their club, whatever its size, can excel, rise to the top and compete at the pinnacle of European football.

This European tradition for all is paramount and must not be threatened or changed.

“The global resistance of the last days has shown that a closed and elitist league is unfeasible and undesirable.

The reaction shows how much the open ecosystem and the football community mean to people, ”the statement added.

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