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

Rennes needed just a point to finish top of their group and advance to the Round of 16 in the Europa League, however, in the 101st minute against Villarreal, they trailed 3-2. Assignon stepped up dramatically to net the equaliser to make it 3-3, and whilst the goal was initially awarded, it was then ruled out by VAR. 

WATCH | Assignon’s goal ruled out due to obscure rule

The goal was ruled out as Enzo Le Fée touched the ball twice from a direct free-kick. The Frenchman’s effort came back to him after hitting the bar, and as no other player touched the ball in the meantime, Assignon’s equaliser was therefore rightly ruled out. 

“I learnt about the rule at that moment,” reacted Rennes manager Julien Stépha, who like the commentators, was initially confused by the decision. As a result, Rennes finished second in their group and must now play against a team knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in a play-off tie. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

“Do you really think I’m thinking about Milan tonight? I told you, I’m thinking about Clermont and Montpellier, that’s all. Defeat hurts me right now. We’ll just have to see. Whoever we come up against, I don’t have a preference.”

“After that, we’ll see. Right now, there are two games left and we want to finish well before we all go and get some rest [during the winter break]. We knew there was a risk of two more games, so we’ll see when the time comes.”

GFFN | George Boxall

Brighton – Olympique de Marseille : Joey #Barton dans le parcage marseillais #Brighton #OM #ultras #Marseille #BHAFCOM (14.12.23) pic.twitter.com/4vt0LtsIUJ

— 1899 Mode Ultrà (@ultras1899_) December 14, 2023

It is not the first time the controversial former manager of Bristol Rovers and Rotherham has been spotted with the OM faithful in European ties. Barton was spotted last year at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a 2-0 loss for Igor Tudor’s side, as well as another loss against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the 2012-2013 season. OM’s defeat to Brighton completes a hat-trick of away trip losses for the outspoken former Marseille man, who made 25 appearances in Ligue 1.

GFFN | George Boxall

“We knew what kind of match we were going to face. Let me add Brighton didn’t steal anything, we knew their strengths. I think we could have done better in terms of quality and accuracy. We focussed too much on getting our keeper to play longer and free ourselves from their pressure. We could have got the ball out better. It’s hard to lose in the last minute, but Brighton deserved it.”

Marseille face Europa League play-off tie

Joao Pedro’s goal on the 87th minute saw the hosts go top of Europa League Group B, condemning Marseille to the Europa League play-off round (a two-legged tie against opposition dropping down from the Champions League). Les Olympiens will face Clermont this weekend in Ligue 1.

“Tonight, I’m thinking about Clermont (Sunday at the Velodrome) and Montpellier. After that, we’ll see. Right now, there are two games left and we want to finish well before we all go and get some rest. We knew there was a risk of two more games, so we’ll see when the time comes.”

GFFN | George Boxall

It was the Seagulls who began the game on the front foot, creating several early chances through Brazilian Joao Pedro and Ivorian Simon Adingra, with the hosts holding possession in typical De Zerbi fashion. Marseille had a few early forays forward, despite a lack of possession. Brighton keeper Jason Steele was worried when a deflected shot from Jonathan Clauss rattled the cross bar in the 15th minute – but that was as close as it got for the Olympiens in the first period. 

If Gattuso had claimed before the match that playing for a draw would need some ‘divine intervention’, it was exactly the approach that OM were taking in the first period, sitting back whilst the home side tried to find a killer final ball. One Italian boss was sober-looking on the bench, the other was frantically issuing instructions at 200km/h to try and find a way to break the deadlock. 

Marseille grew into second half, but sat too deep

Jonathan Clauss’s cross flashed in front of Steele’s goal-mouth, whilst minutes later Joao Pedro’s swivelled shot wasn’t enough to test Pau Lopez. Half-time came with a lot to improve for both sides.

Brighton’s high press was a big disruption for Gattuso’s side to play out the back, but OM grew slightly into the second half. A glorious chance came the way of the visitors when Amine Harit carved out a shot which hit the post and was needed to be cleared off the line from Jan Paul Van Hecke.

It was then time to roll the dice for De Zerbi, who brought on young Irish striker Evan Ferguson for Adringa. But it was Gattuso’s side who grew into the second half with Brighton failing to capitalise on their chances. Jonathan Clauss’s low shot on goal was the product of some good combination play between Morroco pair Harit and Ounahi, but it was off target – they would soon regret being so wasteful.

Hammer-blow for Marseille, Brighton find late breakthrough

As play reached the final 15 minutes, Albion looked to push for a winner. Evan Ferguson’s strike fizzed just over the bar before a breakthrough was finally found through Joao Pedro for the home side. Pascal Gross fed through the Brazilian with a pinpoint through-ball, and the striker rocketed home in front of the Amex’s North Stand to surely send the hosts to the Europa League round of 16.

With five added minutes remaining, Gattuso’s side could hardly get a foot on the ball, and the final whistle came to confirm their place in the Europa League play-offs. Delight for the Seagulls, disappointment on the South Coast of England for Les Phoceens.

MARSEILLE PLAYER RATINGS:

Pau Lopez, 5

Leonardo Balerdi, 5

Chancel Mbemba, 7

Jonathan Clauss, 5

Ronan Lodi, 4

Jordan Veretout, 4

Azzedine Ounahi, 4

Bamo Meïté, 5

Vitinha, 3  – A lacklustre first period for the young Portuguese striker, who hardly touched the ball and cut a frustrated figure up top. He became the first casualty of OM’s timidity, being replaced by Iliman Ndiaye in the second half.

Aubameyang, 4 – A player who looked nothing like the one that has scored seven goals in four games for OM, was subdued and looked somewhat frustrated leading the line with little service. Was bandaged after the game in mixed zone, could suggest a possible injury. 

Amine Harit, 6 – Marseille’s main threat at the Amex, the Moroccan was finding pockets of space and was able to carve out a number of opportunities. He was unlucky to hit the post, but should have converted a later chance against Steele.

Others: Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, Geoffrey Kondogbia, 

SELECTED BRIGHTON PLAYER RATINGS:

Billy Gilmour, 7

Karou Mitoma, 6

Joao Pedro, 7 – The Brazilian with the all-important goal for the Albion, a superb finish and a product of perseverance after being on the end of several opportunities to score throughout. Pedro is this season’s Europa League group stage top-scorer with six goals to his name.

GFFN | George Boxall

The Netherlands international recently went public with his frustration about being benched by Carles Martinez Novell, however, he returned to the starting XI against Olympique Lyonnais at the weekend. He is once again expected to lead the line against Linz ASK on Thursday night. 

The under-fire Spanish manager is, however, missing two key players for the encounter. Mikkel Desler remains out following an eye injury suffered against FC Lorient, whilst Niklas Schmidt has not sufficiently recovered from Sunday’s defeat against Lyon. Both will be fit to face Stade Rennais on Sunday, however, the match against Linz will come too soon for the pair. Stijn Spierings, who joined on a joker transfer in September, is not registered in Le TéFéCé’s Europa League squad and is therefore ineligible. 

Toulouse likely lineup v Linz 

Guillaume Restes; Gabriel Suazo, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Logan Costa, Warren Kamanzi; Vincent Sierro, Cristian Casseres, César Gelabert; Ibrahim Cissoko, Thijs Dallinga, Aron Donnum. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle