Following the European Court of Justice’s (CJEU) ruling on Thursday morning, which permits the creation of a European Super League, Vincent Labrune, the head of the Ligue Football Professionnel (LFP), has pledged allegiance to UEFA competitions, whilst also denouncing Super League plans.
The CJEU ruled on Thursday that blocking the creation of a Super League would go against EU laws, which opens the door for the creation of the league, which was thwarted back in 2021. The Super League could, hypothetically, return, and plans are being pushed by Real Madrid and Barcelona in particular.
However, the LFP have announced their opposition to the plan. “The LFP unequivocally supports UEFA-organised competitions. Nothing can replace the legitimacy, credibility and prestige of European competitions, such as those organised for over 60 years,” began Labrune in the LFP’s statement.
“We are very attached to the principles of sporting merit that should govern our sport: be that in terms of qualification competitions for European tournaments, but also in a more general sense, in terms of promotion and relegation.”
“If football is today the biggest sport on the planet, it is because it has managed to create these basic bases for competition, which are clear and transparent. Nothing should go against this intangible principle, which is aimed at giving everyone the right to ‘dream’ and to be able to reach the summit of the game,” concluded Labrune.
PSG and Monaco voice opposition
Paris Saint-Germain have been vocal opponents of Super League plans in the past with their president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the head of the European Club Association (ECA). Their stance has been reaffirmed. “PSG totally and completely rejects any plans for a so-called Super League, which has been the case from day one, and always will be,” began Al-Khelaifi in a statement.
“As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European sporting model, the values of competition and inclusion, and works with all recognised stakeholders of European football – especially with supporters and players – who are at the heart of football,” he added.
AS Monaco followed suit in rejecting a prospective Super League: “Following the decision of the European Court of Justice, AS Monaco would like to express its full commitment to the principle of sporting merit which governs UEFA competitions and the French championship,” began the statement.
“AS Monaco will continue to work with the Ligue 1 clubs within the Ligue de Football Professionnel, and with other clubs through the ECA, in order to participate progressively and collectively in the development of football,” the Principality club added.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
