Milan legend Zvonimir Boban insists the Super League will never exist and believes VAR has ‘cleaned football.’
The ex-Rossoneri player and director, now UEFA’s Head Of Football, has released an extended interview with today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.
Starting from the Super League, Boban has discussed several issues, including VAR and the 2022 World Cup.
“The Super League was an absurd plan, which died in two days. Actually, it was never born,” the Croat said.
“Any plan not including the values of sport in the first place is destined to end badly. Football belongs to all those who love it and the Super League was a misguided attempt that failed as it deserved. We’ve been talking too much about it. It will never exist.”
Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona are still formally involved in the breakaway competition that was launched in April 2021 but collapsed within 48 hours.
Monza director Adriano Galliani has suggested that European clubs could create a Super League to challenge Premier League clubs.
“I live Adriano, but his claims have disappointed me,” admitted Boban.
“It’s like betraying his history and Milan’s history. When Serie A was dominating, nobody thought about the others. We would like to see more balance between the different leagues. When new stadiums will be built, I am sure Serie A will improve and be able to compete with the Premier League.
“They should have thought about it [new stadiums] 30 years ago, but better late than never.”
How about VAR? How has football developed since its introduction?
“Criticism at the beginning was logical, but after all the improvements, anyone criticising VAR now is intellectually dishonest,” said Boban.
“VAR hasn’t changed football, but has cleaned it. It’s a form of protection for referees who can make errors. Now it’s difficult to think about football without VAR and I am proud of it.”
Boban also said that he is “sorry” Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup. “It’s my second home, but they hadn’t qualified for Russia [2018] and it was still a good tournament.”
Is he Ron Perlman’s son?
@FOrza PArma: a long-lost nephew. But football… football never changes…
The “Super” League will probably happen eventually, but obviously it’d have to be far better than the laughable proposal suggested last year.
Boban, YOU are intellectually dishonest if you can claim with a straight face that VAR is free from criticism!!
Italy’s absence at Qatar 2022, another heartbreak and nightmare for me.