Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sources: Rebel clubs ready for UEFA talks

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 20 April 2021 10:21

The 12 rebel clubs planning to form a European Super League (ESL) are "ready for dialogue" with domestic leagues and UEFA, sources told ESPN.

With widespread hostility and opposition to the ESL proposal announced on Sunday from within football and also from political leaders such as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron, the leading figures within the breakaway cabal accept that there is a need for high-level talks in order to lay out their plans.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin described the leaders of the group as "snakes" during an explosive news conference on Monday in which he also said that the proposals, involving Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and others, were a "spit in the face of football lovers."

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, the chairman of the ESL group, responded by saying football must "change and adapt," while dismissing Ceferin's threat of the rebel clubs being banned from UEFA competitions.

- Ogden: Super League idea comes at greatest expense to fans
- Marcotti: What does Super League mean for European football?

A meeting of the 14 Premier League clubs not involved in the proposal -- the ESL plan includes Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham -- was held Tuesday in an effort to agree on a strategy to combat the initiative.

A statement following the meeting read: "The Premier League, alongside The FA, met with clubs today to discuss the immediate implications of the Super League proposal.

"The 14 clubs at the meeting unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans for the competition. The Premier League is considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing, as well as holding those Shareholders involved to account under its rules.

"The League will continue to work with key stakeholders including fan groups, Government, UEFA, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA to protect the best interests of the game and call on those clubs involved in the proposed competition to cease their involvement immediately.

"The Premier League would like to thank fans and all stakeholders for the support they have shown this week on this significant issue. The reaction proves just how much our open pyramid and football community means to people."

Anger toward the breakaway plan has remained intense with fans burning a Liverpool shirt prior to Monday's game against Leeds United at Elland Road, and key ESL figures believe talks can tone things down and lead to a greater understanding of the proposals, sources said.

Sources told ESPN that during Tuesday's Premier League meeting, there was widespread anger at the behaviour of the six absent clubs but also a recognition that a dialogue must be maintained to bring them back to the negotiating table.

Several clubs intimated their approval for a threat of heavy sanctions in a bid to make those not in attendance realise the gravity of their actions, sources added.

Under the ESL plan, an annual solidarity payment of €160 million would be paid to the Premier League clubs to ensure the money generated by the new competition would trickle down to the domestic game.

ESL leaders are determined to spell out their vision to remain in domestic leagues while playing only in midweek in a Super League.

Opposition to the proposals remains strong, however, with national leagues and associations united in their determination to block any breakaway competition.

Information from ESPN's James Olley was used in this report

Read 304 times

Soccer

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFIFA launched a $50 million legacy fund for social programmes on We...

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

EmailPrintManchester City boss Pep Guardiola has apologised for suggesting he wanted to hurt himself...

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City did the easy part by having manager Pep Guardiola s...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points and...

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Tues...

Baseball

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent left-hander Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have...

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated