Breakaway clubs told they face consequences for split

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has warned the clubs involved in the breakaway European Super League that they have to “live with the consequences of their choice”.

So far, 12 clubs have signed up for the new Super League, with their leader, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, confirming to Spanish television last night that those involved signed binding contracts on Saturday.

The news has sent shockwaves through football, with UEFA stating their desire to impose swift sanctions — which could include throwing Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid out of this season’s Champions League and Arsenal and Manchester United out of the Europa League.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also warned players could be banned from competing for their countries at European Championships and World Cups if they are playing for one of the Super League clubs.

Infantino, who was speaking this morning at a UEFA Congress, stopped short of making that direct threat, but he confirmed FIFA oppose the new Super League and warned clubs must face the consequences if they split.

“We can only strongly disapprove the creation of the Super League, a Super League which is a closed shop, which is a breakaway from the current institutions, from the leagues, from the associations, from UEFA and from FIFA.

“If some elect to go their own way, then they must live with the consequences of their choice. They are responsible for their choice. Concretely, this means either you are in or you are out. You cannot be half in or half out. This has to be absolutely clear.”

Infantino urged everyone to think “very carefully” and to listen to the fans. He warned that the absence of relegation or promotion would damage “the magic of football”, recounting his days of playing in the bottom tier of Swiss football and dreaming of going higher.

The FIFA president (below), who gave his full support to UEFA, added: “If you look at all this, we can see there is a lot to throw away for maybe a short-term financial gain of some.” Infantino’s speech came after Real Madrid president Perez claimed on Spanish TV that that the Super League had been created “to save football” and money would trickle down from this new competition to help other clubs. Perez claimed too that young people were “no longer interested in football” because of “a lot of poor quality games”.

The Super League’s new president was also bullish about the prospect of clubs being thrown out of this season’s Champions League and players being banned from featuring at European Championships and World Cups.

“It will not happen, the law protects us. We will not get into legal issues. It is impossible,” he said.

“Every player can remain absolutely calm. Very calm, that’s not going to happen.”