Super League gets royal seal of disapproval
Prince William
has put the boot in to the Super League project that threatens to split the historic structure of European football.
The Duke of Cambridge, pictured, who is the FA president, says he shared the concerns of the fans that the breakaway league consisting of 12 of Europe’s richest clubs over the damage it will bring to the game.
‘‘Now, more than ever, we must protect the entire football community – from the top level to the grassroots – and the values of competition and fairness at its core,’’ he tweeted.
‘‘I share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.’’
The president of Uefa said players at the 12 clubs setting up their own Super League could be banned from the European Championship and next year’s World Cup. Aleksander Ceferin showed his sense of anger and betrayal by the leaders of some wealthy European clubs as he spoke of ‘‘snakes,’’ and wished Uefa could ban Super League clubs and players ‘‘as soon as possible’’ from all of its competitions.
Whether Uefa’s lawyers will advise that – with the Champions League and Europa League semifinals next week, and Euro 2020 kicking off in June – is unclear.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Leeds players spoke out against the formation of a Super League after the teams drew 1-1 in the English Premier League yesterday.
James Milner, Liverpool’s captain for the game, became the first player from one of the so-called founding clubs to criticise plans for the Super League. ‘‘I don’t like it and hopefully it doesn’t happen,’’ Milner said.
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford said players were ‘‘in shock’’ at the developments.
Liverpool came in for lots of criticism ahead of the game – from their own fans and those of rival clubs – for being greedy and damaging the integrity of the English and wider game because of their role in the Super League plans.
The club’s American ownership bore the brunt of the criticism but the players were jeered and verbally abused as they arrived at Elland Road.
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