UEFA threatens bans for new Super League teams

MONTREUX, Switzerland – The deceptions, distrust and divisions in European soccer erupted in public on Monday between teams and even within the clubs breaking away to form a Super League that could leave them and their players outcasts in the global game.

Condemnation of the 12 rebel clubs from England, Spain and Italy even came from Prince William, who followed the British government in railing against moves to split from longstanding structures to play in a largely closed competition rather than Europe’s existing UEFA- run Champions League.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin turned on club leaders he called “snakes” and “liars,” singling out Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli and Manchester United vice chairman

Ed Woodward for betraying him for reneging on a pledge to stick within existing structures by backing a revamp of the Champions League on Friday.

Ceferin threatened players from the Super League clubs with being banned from the European Championship and next year’s World Cup.

The rhetoric from Ceferin was followed Monday by criticism of the Super League even by Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp despite owner John Henry securing the six- time European champion’s participation in the new competition.

Teams have to qualify for the Champions League yearly through domestic leagues, but the Super League would lock in 15 places, in a 20- team competition, for founding members. So far, 12 clubs have signed up to be founding members. The Super League said its competition could play alongside domestic leagues and cups.