Andrea Agnelli broke his silence after leaving the back door of Turin Juventus but he did it to specifically talk about super league in an interview with De Telegraaf from the Netherlands, a country with clubs like Ajax who are unhappy with the European soccer format. Here are excerpts from the interview:
On the UEFA monopoly: “It must be broken to give clubs a financially sustainable future. A future where clubs don’t face problems if they don’t qualify for European competitions once. Because it’s a problem for any club. Ajax became the champions from the Netherlands in 2019, they won the Cup, the Super Cup and played in two semifinals of the Champions League. After two months they could be eliminated from the preliminary round of the new Champions League. With so much uncertainty , it is not possible for a club to make sustainable decisions in the long term. That is why I am in favor of a league system in elite European football, with more economic and sporting opportunities for all.”
Ceferin’s project: “In 2019 we were ready. Aleksander and I. The best clubs from all ECA subdivisions agreed on a new format. threat and that’s why Ceferin withdrew it. The clubs are in favor of a changed and improved European football system. When EUFA decided to block the project, projects were born outside of it to organize a new championship with all ECA clubs. The The possibility of launching the project depends on the European Court of Justice”.
The future of European football: “In a sports competition it is important that all participants have a chance to win. Ajax, Feyenoord, Juventus… As a football fan I fully support such international competition unlike international federations, which do not take into account -consider the problems of the clubs. As leaders they want to keep it all, they are against any change. That is why the system is not suitable for the football of the future”.
A system that benefits the rich?: “If the current system is maintained, the gap between English and Spanish clubs and the rest will only increase. Except maybe PSG and Bayern. We should aspire to a greater democracy in sports. Isn’t a Polish club has the right to succeed? The exact conditions of equality are an illusion in the Super League, but you have to fight for it. Herein lies the challenge”.
Free market or monopoly?: “UEFA has a monopoly and keeps everything, as long as the European Court allows it. The decision is expected in the spring. I am very interested if it confirms the monopoly position of the UEFA associations in a free European market. If so, the court will not consider the football industry, with an annual turnover of approximately 50,000 million euros and 700,000 jobs, as an economic activity, but as a small game.”
What about the national championships?: “English dominance also threatens European football. In the Champions League, starting from the quarterfinals, it deals with English clubs and three or four others such as Real Madrid, Barça, PSG and Bayern, along with some others outsiders like Ajax in 2019 Predictability is death. . On the other hand, it is necessary to create economic and financial conditions for clubs so that they do not lose all their income at once after a bad season. The Premier uses of a parachute system for this. The relegated clubs receive financial compensation for several years. In the European context this will be an element to consider for the Super League”.
UEFA and FIFA: “The role of the organizer of the tournaments, which is now in the hands of UEFA, can be assumed without problems by an organization managed by the clubs. I do not think that the solution in 2019, where the clubs and UEFA are aligned, is possible with Ceferin at the helm. . Is it not surprising that there is only one candidate for the presidency of UEFA and FIFA. Particularly those who are already there, Ceferin and Infantino. Is this a healthy thing? Can we wait to change them? They will do their best to stay in the center of power, to secure his privileges. Did you see what Ceferin said in the Apple documentary? As the president of UEFA, he feels as powerful as a king and he talks like a prime minister about organizing competitions.” .
Her relationship with Ceferin: “Actually, I don’t have a problem with him. When he calls me, I answer. He promised God that if something happens to me, he will take care of my son. You can’t give or take away.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
