Real will not be kicked out of Champs League, says Perez
MADRID: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said that no club will be thrown out of the Champions League for joining a proposed European Super League (ESL).
Perez claimed Paris St Germain have not been invited.
UEFA said sides in the tournament will be unable to compete in their future competitions, with Perez’s Real as well as City through to this year’s Champions League last four.
“They are the threats of someone who confuses monopoly with property,” Perez, who has been named ESL president, said on television programme El Chiringuito.
“Real will not be kicked out of the Champions League, definitely not. Nor City, nor anyone else.”
He added: “It’s not going to happen. I don’t want to get into the legal reasons but it’s not going to happen. It’s impossible.”
European football’s governing body also said players could be stopped from featuring for their countries too.
“Any player can be totally calm because that is not going to happen,” 74-year-old Perez said.
“UEFA are a monopoly and they also have to be transparent.
“UEFA do not have a good image in their history. They have to be open to dialogue and not threatening,” he added.
Earlier, Perez claimed the move had been made to save the sport.
“Football has to keep changing and adapting to the times. Football is losing interest. Something must be done,” Perez said.
“Football is the only sport that is global. Television has to change to adapt to the times.
“We have to think about why 16 ot 24-year olds are no longer interested in football.
“There are poor quality matches and there are other platforms for entertainment. Football has to change.
“A group of clubs from some European countries want to do something to make this sport more attractive worldwide,” Perez added.
He said the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated the need for change and clubs cannot afford to wait for UEFA’s proposed Champions League reforms.
“The new Champions League is supposed to start in 2024,” said Perez.
“In 2024, all the clubs will be dead.”