Vincent Labrune, the head of the Ligue Football Professionnel (LFP) and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain and head of the European Club Association (ECA) have already vocalised their disapproval of prospective Super League proposals. 

“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,” said Labrune. 

Monaco have joined the LFP and PSG in rejecting a potential 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. 

Monaco are the second French club to reject the Super League project. AS Roma, Manchester City, Manchester United, Sevilla, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have also all opposed plans in the wake of the CJEU’s ruling on Thursday. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

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, in France, there is already strong opposition to a European Super League. In a press release, the Ligue Football Professionnel (LFP) opposed the formation of a Super League, whilst also pledging their allegiance to UEFA-organised competitions. 

Historically, PSG have been against the formation of a Super League. This stance has now been reiterated by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is also the head of the European Club Association (ECA).

“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.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

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

This decision resolves the conflict between the proposed Super League and the international football administrations by determining that the ban on players and clubs participating in these tournaments is illegal. 

The Super League was established in 2021 when twelve clubs across England, Italy, and Spain announced their plans to create what would be a semi-closed competition. 

However, the backlash from fans, teams, leagues, and administrative bodies led to the withdrawal of nine of the original twelve clubs leaving only Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Juventus. This was followed in 2023 by Juventus also withdrawing from the competition.

‘We have won the right to compete’

The project spearheaded in recent years by the two presidents of the remaining clubs, Florentino Pérez of Madrid and Joan Laporta of Barcelona, struck an important victory for their ambitions to establish this tournament. 

The promoter of the proposed competition, A22 Sports Management, welcomed the decision in a statement provided by Bernd Reichart: ‘We have won the right to compete. The UEFA monopoly is over. Football is free. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanctions and free to determine their own futures.’ 

This was soon followed by the announcement that there would be a newly proposed men’s and women’s midweek European competition to contest with the current model provided by UEFA, which as the Independent reports, would apparently be an open competition where participation will be based on sporting merit.

The future of football is free.

We are proposing a state-of-the-art streaming platform to allow fans to watch every game for free. #BetterForFootball

Discover more about Unify: pic.twitter.com/QXyU3pKhwF

— A22 Sports (@A22Sports) December 21, 2023

What does this mean for France?

The implications for France and Ligue 1, and the wider questions over how French teams will respond to the renewed and restructured Super League are yet to be seen, but the early indicators are not in its favour. 

In a transcription provided by RMC, the President of Olympique de Marseille, reacted to the ruling by denying that he wanted the club to join the new tournament. He instead suggested there was a pressing ‘need for dialogue in European football […] having three or four competitions organised by so many different organisers is a disaster.‘ 

The President of PSG, Nasser al-Khelaïfi, has not yet publicly commented on the announcement today, but a press release from the European Club Association (an organisation which he chairs) appeared to reaffirm his position against the Super League: we ‘stand more united than ever against the attempts by a few individuals pursuing personal agendas to undermine the very foundations and basic principles of European football.’

PSG had previously rejected proposals in 2021 to become a founding member of the Super League, while last year, al-Khelaïfi referred to the continued plans to develop the tournament as an attempt ‘to divide football.’

GFFN | Nick Hartland

PSG decided to play for a draw in the dying stages of their final Champions League group stage match against Dortmund.

PSG were reacting to scores elsewhere when they took their foot off the accelerator. After going behind to a Karim Adeyemi goal, Warren Zaïre-Emery equalised for Les Parisiens. However, the Ligue 1 club’s progression was on a knife-edge with Newcastle United drawing against AC Milan. A goal for the Premier League side would have dumped PSG out of the competition, and as a result, Luis Enrique’s side pushed for a winner.

‘It was one of the best decisions of my career’ – Luis Enrique

However, with AC Milan getting a late goal, PSG could have been dumped out of the competition if they lost against Dortmund. The Serie A side would have advanced at their expense. As a result, Luis Enrique told his players to “take fewer risks”. This instruction did not sit well with Mbappé, who wanted to go for the win that would see them finish top of the group, and therefore receive an easier draw in the Round of 16. 

Mbappé was visibly frustrated on the pitch, and according to Canal Plus, he made a swift return to the team bus after the match, sitting alone without his teammates for many minutes.  Luis Enrique has defended his decision to play for the draw, even if it was a decision that frustrated his talisman.

“I understand why Mbappé is annoyed, but it is me who gives the orders. It was one of the best decisions of my career […] it was a big decision, but not one taken solely by me, but also with my staff, even if it was me who had the final say,” said Luis Enrique in a press conference, transcribed by Get French Football News.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

At 17 years and 119 days, Ilenikhena beat the record set 30 minutes earlier by fellow wonderkid Warren Zaïre-Emery (17), who had scored in PSG’s decisive game against Borussia Dortmund. The previous record was held by Karim Benzema (35), who had scored in the competition back in 2005, when he was playing at Olympique Lyonnais, being 17 years and 352 days old at the time.

The Franco-Nigerian started his career at Antony Foot Evolution, a French club near Paris, before signing his first professional contract with Amiens SC. He then worked through the youth ranks, making his first appearances for the first team last season in Ligue 2. In total, he took part in 17 matches, starting three games and scoring two goals. His precocious goal-scoring ability caught the eye of several clubs, including the 22/23 Juplier Pro League champions Royal Antwerp, who obtained his signing in exchange for €6 million, which in retrospect already looks like a bargain.

The sky is the limit for Ilenikhena

Indeed, the striker is off to a flying start with Antwerp, for whom he has already scored four goals in 15 appearances in the JPL, scoring every 45 minutes in the league. His current role as a prolific super-sub isn’t without reminding Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel (18), who has been getting his name on the scoresheet every 68 minutes in the Bundesliga. However, Ilenikhena has the benefit of playing in a smaller club, and a less competitive league, meaning there is more space for the youngster to pick up substantial game time and progress rapidly as a player. Only separated by one year of age, the two strikers could go on to fight for France’s starting number nine role in the future.

In terms of playstyle, the 17-year-old possesses a rapid burst of pace, which when combined with a well-timed run means his direct defender is often nowhere in sight when he receives the ball. Ilenikhena also has the non-negligible trait of being left-footed, which allows him to be unpredictable when taking on a defender, often cutting inside the outside to curl a shot towards the goal. At such a young age, George is also blessed with seemingly natural striker instincts, meaning his first touch is often space-creating, giving him extra time to fire a shot or play a teammate through.

The prodigy is part of a very exciting France 2006 generation, which includes the aforementioned WZE but also FC Lorient hot-prospect Eli Junior Kroupi (17) and u-17 World Cup finalists Mathis Lambourde (17), Mathis Amougou (17) and Bastien Meupiyou (17). Zaïre-Emery has already made an appearance for the France first team, while it shouldn’t be long before Ilenikhena and Kroupi get their first call-up with Thierry Henry’s u-21 squad, though George still has the choice to represent Nigeria if he wishes.

Another top talent for Royal Antwerp

The player is already worth €4.5 million by Transfermarkt, his value having gone up by €3.5 million since he joined the Belgian club in the summer window, making him already the joint ninth most valuable member of the squad, with exciting profiles such as Arthur Vermeeren (18) and Mandela Keita (21) leading the ranking. However, if his meteoric rise continues, no doubt Ilenikhena could a some point become the most valuable sale in the club’s history, the current record being held by Gastón Ávila’s (22) €12.5 million transfer to Ajax Amsterdam last August.

The next test for him will be this Sunday’s domestic match-up against second-place Anderlecht, where he’ll be hoping to get his first start of the season.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande

As reported by The Guardian, Championship side Sunderland have held talks with Still regarding the vacant managerial position. L’Équipe added that it was Still himself who instigated the talks, with a meeting between Still and Sunderland taking place in London on Saturday.

RMC Sport have reported that Reims are irritated by what they perceive as their manager’s attempt to make a mid-season departure, with the club currently flying high in Ligue 1 in eighth place.

Whilst Reims reportedly expect to lose Still in the summer of 2024, they did not expect to lose him mid-season, and there is an unwillingness to see him leave before the end of the ongoing campaign, according to Foot Mercato. It is therefore unlikely that Still would be allowed to leave the club mid-season, especially given Reims’ hard stance during past negotiations. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

PSG were reacting to scores elsewhere when they took their foot off the accelerator. After going behind to a Karim Adeyemi goal, Warren Zaïre-Emery equalised for Les Parisiens. However, the Ligue 1 club’s progression was on a knife-edge with Newcastle United drawing against AC Milan. A goal for the Premier League side would have dumped PSG out of the competition, and as a result, Luis Enrique’s side pushed for a winner.

However, with AC Milan getting a late goal, PSG could have been dumped out of the competition if they lost against Dortmund. The Serie A side would have advanced at their expense. As a result, Luis Enrique gave the instruction to his players to protect the draw. Les Parisiens therefore opted to retain possession and not take unnecessary risks.

Luis Enrique instructed his PSG players to take ‘fewer risks’

“In the 85th minute, with Milan’s win securing our qualification, I told my players to take fewer risks. Our objective was to finish first, but finishing second in this difficult group is a success,” said Luis Enrique post-match.

However, this decision visibly irritated Mbappé, who midway through the second half thought he had given PSG the lead, only for his finish to be ruled out by VAR for a tight offside. Luis Enrique’s instructions to “take fewer risks” were relayed by certain players and upon receiving the instructions, the France captain was visibly unhappy. 

Mbappé sits alone on bus

That frustration was once again visible at full-time, even though Mbappé did go over and greet the travelling away fans at the Signal Iduna Park. Luis Enrique admitted Mbappé’s frustration post-match. “It is normal that the players are frustrated. We had five chances to score – five! We would have been a bit stupid to have conceded a goal in the 85th minute. When a player is frustrated, it is my job to manage this risk-taking, this tension,” he said.

According to Canal Plus, Mbappé quickly made his way through the mixed zone and onto the PSG team bus. He sat alone for a few minutes before any of his teammates joined him. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

PSG would have topped their group, billed as “the Group of Death” had they beaten Borussia Dortmund on Wendesday night. However, Luis Enrique’s side could only manage a draw (1-1). Dortmund therefore finish top of the group, ahead of PSG, who themselves only finished one point ahead of AC Milan. Newcastle United, who lost to the Serie A side on Wednesday, finish bottom. 

When is the draw held?

PSG, who were knocked out in the Round of 16 last season by Bayern Munich, will discover their fate on Monday, December 18th (11 am GMT), when the draw will take place. Below is the list of PSG’s potential opponents:

• Atletico Madrid
• Manchester City
• Real Madrid
• Bayern Munich
• Arsenal
• Real Sociedad
• Barcelona

PSG could therefore experience a repeat of last season’s draw by facing Bayern Munich. Les Parisiens’ are France’s only representative in the knockout stages after RC Lens were relegated to the UEFA Europa League.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

PSG went to Dortmund with the objective of getting the victory that would allow them to top the group, and therefore earn an easier draw for the Round of 16. However, after Karim Adeyemi’s goal for the Bundesliga club, and with results elsewhere going against them, Les Parisiens were staring down the barrel of an early elimination. 

Zaïre-Emery’s equaliser spared PSG’s blushes and the point was enough to see them finish above AC Milan. However, the PSG academy product, who became the youngest Frenchman to score in the Champions League, was not wholly satisfied with the result. 

‘It’s important to qualify and keep this Champions League objective’ – Marquinhos

“At the same time we’re happy, but we know we could have done better and finished in first place,” Zaïre-Emery told Canal Plus post-match. “That was the objective. But we’re happy to finish second and to qualify. We played a good match. Sometimes, football is like that, the ball doesn’t want to go into the net. We had lots of chances. There are only positives going forward.”

His sentiment was shared by club captain Marquinhos. “Qualification and the second place is one objective that we had. The first one was to finish in first place. We had the chances. We felt as though we could have got it, but still, you have to stay clear-minded – it’s important to qualify and keep this Champions League objective,” said the Brazilian international. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle