FIGC President Gabriele Gravina felt the Super League project was in the works, but was surprised by the ‘method and timing’ of the announcement.
The announcement by 12 breakaway clubs last night, including Juventus, Inter and Milan, shook the world of football to its core.
“I think the last two years have been a continual emergency situation, so we will face this moment with the usual competence,” Gravina told Sky Sport Italia.
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina felt the Super League project was in the works, but was surprised by the ‘method and timing’ of the announcement.
The announcement by 12 breakaway clubs last night, including Juventus, Inter and Milan, shook the world of football to its core.
“I think the last two years have been a continual emergency situation, so we will face this moment with the usual competence,” Gravina told Sky Sport Italia.
“It was a bolt from the blue. There were a few warning signs here and there, but the method and the timing of the announcement really was unexpectedly violent.
“I would like to thank all those who are building an unbreakable wall, because as far as I am concerned, the people who matter are those to love the values of football.”
The statement from the 12 Super League clubs points several times to the pandemic as a reason for the need to rush through this earth-shattering change, but Gravina is not convinced.
“I understand they are going through difficult times, as are all Italian clubs. In my role, I will do everything to accelerate much-needed reforms and above all cost control, because it’s unthinkable that this Super League should be proposed as an innovative project.
“There’s nothing to say boosting revenue will resolve a problem caused above all by costs that are out of control.
“Our role is to defend the values of sport. To respect the roots of sporting competition in our territory and that includes the sacrifices of the amateur leagues.
“Football belongs to the people, to the fans. Today’s response proves our ability to be an important reference point for European football.”
Gravina was referring to the fact he was today voted into the UEFA Executive Committee.