English Football League (EFL) have announced their decision to oppose plans for a new European Super League.
This decision to speak out comes after six clubs from the Premier League announced plans to break away and form a new closed competition competing against fellow European giants like Barcelona and Juventus.
In a lengthy statement, the EFL iterated their stance alongside the Premier League, FA, PFA, LMA and FSA plus colleagues across European football in full ‘condemnation’ of the European Super League which they described as an ‘attack’ on the sport’s foundations of open and fair competition.
EFL described the current pyramid based on promotion, relegation and European qualification as ‘fundamental’ to the sport’s continued success and ‘opposes’ this competition which lacks ‘integrity’ and ability to offer clubs a prospect of reaching the pinnacle of football.
The EFL also warned that any reforms should be focused on creating ‘long-term sustainability at all levels of domestic football’ whilst removing current financial pressures as a result of contrasts in revenues across England’s top four tiers.
EFL have consequently vowed to work with the Premier League, FA and stakeholders to deliver that vision, in order to ensure that football as a game for supporters can continue to thrive within the very heart of local communities around the country for future generations.
This past weekend marked the 133rd anniversary of the pioneering of the world’s original League football format, which now marks the same weekend in which these proposals were announced as the EFL bemuse how ‘ironic’ this announcement was.
With EFL competitions offering a feeling of any club being capable of triumphing over another regardless of size, the league described the European Super League as something that ‘kills a part of the game and the League system we established over a century ago.’
Following UEFA’s announcement of their new format for their club competitions, EFL also iterated that this statement does not represent an endorsement of their reforms, which they view as ‘a significant challenge’ for the domestic programme in England.
Under the latest UEFA format changes, the Champions League would be expanded to 10 matchweeks, which would affect the future of the League Cup and impact upon financial income for EFL clubs of who view the competition as ‘vital’ for financial security.
Concluding their statement, the EFL have committed to continuing to work alongside colleagues across football both domestically and internationally in order to ‘defend our national game’ whilst protecting both members and fans alike with a ‘healthy, vibrant and enduring’ football pyramid.
Leave a Reply