The last three resistance fighters in the Super League will fight to the death… of their idea.
This is in substance what the joint declaration of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus Turin, published this Saturday morning, tends to mean.
After deciding, Friday evening, of a punishment for the nine clubs returned to its fold after 48 hours of zeal - a collective fine of 15 million euros and a withdrawal of 5% of their European premium over a season -, the 'UEFA wanted to take the time to deal with the case of the three resistant giants.
But they took the institution by surprise, presented their grievances clearly and responded vigorously.
Comunicado Oficial. # RealMadrid
- Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) May 8, 2021
Florentino Perez, Joan Laporta and Andrea Agnelli, the presidents of the three clubs, thus denounced "unacceptable pressures, threats and offenses in order to withdraw the proposed project and, therefore, renounce their right or duty to provide solutions to the football ecosystem through concrete proposals and constructive dialogue. It is intolerable from a legal point of view and justice has already ruled in favor of the Super League's proposal, ordering FIFA and UEFA to refrain from taking any measures that could compromise the Super League. initiative in any way pending the procedure. "
As since the announcement of this Super League project, the clubs also recalled having acted "in order to provide solutions to the current unsustainable situation in the football sector.
The concrete problems that led the twelve founding clubs to announce the Super League a few weeks ago remain.
We reiterate that, in order to honor our history, fulfill the commitments made to our stakeholders and supporters, for the good of football and for the financial viability of the sector, we have a duty to act responsibly and persevere in achieving of our goals, despite the continued and unacceptable pressures and threats from UEFA.
"Methods considered" feudal "by the Super League.
"Ready to reconsider the proposed approach"
If the three great teams have tirelessly recalled their initial wishes, they nevertheless assured to be "fully aware of the diversity of reactions to the initiative of the Super League. We are ready to reconsider the proposed approach, if necessary. However, we would be very irresponsible if, aware of the needs and the systemic crisis in the football sector that led us to announce the Super League, we abandon the mission of providing effective and lasting answers to the existential challenges that threaten the football sector. soccer. "
Wanting to shake things up while sparing their relations with UEFA for the future, Real Madrid, Barça and Juventus concluded their statement with a mixture of anger and incitement to dialogue. "We are saddened to see that the clubs, our friends and founding partners of the Super League, are now in an inconsistent and contradictory position after signing numerous commitments with UEFA yesterday," they said. “Above all, we reiterate to FIFA, UEFA and all football stakeholders our commitment and our firm desire to discuss together, in accordance with the principles of law but without intolerable pressure, the most appropriate solutions for the sustainability of the whole football family. "