World football governing body, FIFA, on Tuesday backed UEFA against the 12 elite clubs which seek to create breakaway European Super League clubs.
WUZUPNIGERIA reports that 12 clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool and Juventus are among the members of the proposed new league. But European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, on Monday said players and clubs – – including three of this season’s Champions League semi-finalists – associated with the new league could be banned from its competitions.
UEFA also added that it would fight the move.
On Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned the clubs they must face up to the reality of their decision, adding that they could not be “half in, half out” of the established football system.
“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 and half out. This has to be absolutely clear,” Infantino told UEFA’s congress in Montreux, Switzerland.
Infantino’s comments came after the Super League had called on Monday for talks with UEFA and FIFA about their new competition’s place in the football “ecosystem”.
The FIFA head, a former UEFA general secretary, repeated his opposition to the breakaway project.
“We can only and strongly disapprove of a Super League which is a closed shop, breakaway from current institutions,” Infantino said. “No doubt whatsoever of FIFA’s disapproval. Full support to UEFA.
“We hope that everything will go back to normal, that everything will be settled, but always with respect, always with solidarity and with the interests of national, European and global football.”
