Borussia Dortmund have released a statement confirming they and Bayern Munich have no plans to enter the breakaway European Super League created by 12 clubs on Sunday evening.
A dozen European sides, including all of England’s ‘Big Six’ clubs, outlined their intentions to start a new league ‘as soon as it practicable’ to replace their involvement in UEFA competitions, including the Champions League.
Dortmund and Bayern are two high-profile clubs who have not signed up to the controversial tournament, which has been condemned by fans, a host of governing bodies and even the Prime Minister.
The Westfalenstadion club insisted that they want to continue reforming the Champions League rather than create a new competition altogether.
Dortmund chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “The members of the European Club Association (ECA) board got together for a virtual conference on Sunday evening and confirmed that the board decision of last Friday is still valid.
“This decision means that the clubs want to implement the planned reform of the UEFA Champions League. It was the clear opinion of the members of the ECA board that the plans to found a Super League were rejected.”
Getty - Pool
The statement also added that Bayern too ‘represented 100 percent congruent views in all discussions’ regarding their stance on the Super League.
The two German clubs opted not to sign up for the tournament along with French club Paris Saint-Germain.
It is anticipated three more clubs will join the breakaway group as founding members with the new competition, which will begin ‘as soon as practicable’ to eventually feature 20 teams.
After the plans emerged on Sunday afternoon, condemnation was almost instant throughout the game before the clubs released statements just before midnight.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told talkSPORT the move goes against everything football is based upon and represents a huge threat to the Premier League.
European Super League plans
Teams signed up: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan
Notable absentees: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich
How will the clubs benefit?
Principally by being guaranteed entry – and the revenue that goes with it – each year.
Even with the proposed changes to the Champions League, there remains a possibility teams could fail to qualify. This would eliminate that risk.
The Super League would comprise 20 clubs, comprised of 15 permanent founding members and five additional sides determined through a qualification process.
Wenger, now FIFA’s chief of global football development, also believes the project will not get off the ground.
“I would say that it’s a bad idea,” he said. “Football has to stay united. That is the most important thing, and based on sporting merits and overall to respect the history of European football.
“I believe personally that this idea will not go far.”
Getty Images - Getty
One of the big reasons as to why Dortmund and Bayern are against the proposals is because the majority stake of their clubs are fan owned.
The vast majority of Germany’s clubs, including Bayern and Dortmund, are governed by the 50+1 rule, which essentially enshrines majority member (or fan) ownership.
This is designed as a means prevent private investors taking outright control of a club, as seen in the Premier League.
Fans, however, have been fighting a desperate battle in recent years to protect their stakes in their clubs. There have been some successes, with a commitment to the 50+1 rule as recently as 2018 and the successful campaign to scrap Monday night football.
Another possible reason as to why Bayern and Dortmund have not signed up to the new proposals is because they are not run like other clubs.
Bayern and Dortmund, unlike the 12 ‘founder’ clubs of the tournamenent, are run by ex-footballers who perhaps see things differently to those who have entered the game for purely commercial purposes.
In January, Bayern’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke of the dangers of the Super League.
“If the system changed, it could make it more difficult for many people to identify with football,” he said. “It could cause serious damage to the national leagues, that is why I have my reservations. If I had to decide today for Bayern, I would decline.”
The German league, just like the Premier League and LaLiga, have opposed the European Super League plans in a strongly-worded statement.
“The DFL [German Football League] does not agree with any concept of a Super League,” CEO Christian Seifert wrote. “The economic interests of big clubs in England, Spain and Italy cannot destroy the structures that exist in the whole of European football.
“In particular, it would be irresponsible to irreparably damage the national leagues of European professional football in this way. I therefore support the joint decision of UEFA and the national leagues of England, Spain and Italy.”
from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/2Qxgzr4
via IFTTT
No Comment