SUPER LEAGUE A THREAT
Players union say survival of smaller clubs and leagues at risk
Gcommented on the report. “It is important that the top clubs and competitions recognise they have a responsibility towards the entire industry,” FIFPro said in a statement on Tuesday. “It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to protect the integrity and values of football.”
FIFPro said the current system, which gives all clubs the possibility to take part in European competition through sporting merit, needed to be maintained.
“The sustainability of the professional football pyramid needs to be safeguarded,” it said.
“The economic survival of smaller clubs and leagues is at risk and competitiveness within championships is vanishing. This affects millions of fans, thousands of jobs for players and raises serious questions about the viability of the industry.
“FIFPro supports a united football industry and the benefits of connected competitions.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last week that any playe r s i nvolved in a breakaway league would be barred from playing for their national teams, including at the World Cup.
“We will... defend the ability of players to represent their country and their right to offer their services to any club,” said FIFPro.
“We are strongly opposed to the prospect of these freedoms being limited as a consequence of a fight between competition organisers.”