Juventus President Andrea Agnelli insisted the Super League was ‘not a coup d’état, but a desperate warning cry’ and they will continue fighting UEFA also for ‘those who were too afraid’ to stick to the project.
The Bianconeri, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only remaining clubs of the original 12 who haven’t abandoned the project, and consequently face disciplinary action from UEFA.
That could go so far as exclusion from the Champions League for one or two seasons.
“We tried in every way to change international competitions from the inside,” said Agnelli during a press conference.
“I remember a proposal from 2019 between the ECA and UEFA, which I thought was excellent, and in fact was supported by clubs in the second, third and fourth division.
“You cannot help but recognise European football is concentrated into a monopoly of executive, economic and juridical power, reserving UEFA the almost arbitrary responsibility of assigning licences.
“The system is nowadays inefficient. The Super League was not a coup d’état, but a desperate warning cry for a system that was already on the verge of collapse before the pandemic, and is heading towards a state of insolvency.
“The clubs always asked for communication with UEFA, who reacted by slamming the door shut and making grave, arrogant threats towards the three clubs who remain in the Super League, totally ignoring the verdict of the tribunal in Madrid and awaiting the verdict of the European tribunal. We can assure that the legal basis for the project is solid.
“This sort of attitude from UEFA is not how you reform football. Our desire for dialogue with UEFA and FIFA is unchanged. Other sports modified their format over the years, such as the basketball Euroleague, bringing great benefits to fans, clubs and players.
“Almost all stakeholders maintain football has to be reformed, yet those who do make proposals are demonised. Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona intend to continue with our proposals, also in solidarity with those who were too afraid to stick to them.”