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

It was a great evening for Lille, who secured their place in the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League thanks to a comfortable 3-0 victory. Yazici scored the first goal of the game, with all three of Les Dogues’ goals coming from the penalty spot. 

After the celebrations at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Yazici returned home to an unpleasant surprise. The Turkish forward’s home had been burgled during the match. Two luxury watches, clothes and leather products had all been stolen. It is the second time that he has been burgled since his arrival at Lille in 2019. 

Following loans at CSKA Moscow and then Trabzonspor, Yazici is Lille’s top goalscorer this season with seven goals in 21 appearances in all competitions. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Bouaddi may only be 16, but he is now set for his third start in European competition. He is expected to start alongside Benjamin André in the midfield, whilst Nabil Bentaleb looks set to be rested. The former SCO Angers midfielder would be suspended should he pick up another yellow card. 

Lille will be without Jonathan David, who is suffering from a calf injury. The Canadian international, who has recently experienced a return to form, could also miss the weekend match against Paris Saint-Germain. Ivan Cavaleiro is also absent from Paulo Fonseca’s side. 

Lille likely lineup v KI Klaksvik

Vito Mannone; Ismaily, Samuel Umtiti, Leny Yoro, Tiago Santos; Ayyoub Bouaddi, Benjamin André; Hákon Arnar Haraldsson; Rémy Cabella, Edon Zhegrova; Yusuf Yazici. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Since the November international break, David has enjoyed a return to form. He has two goals in his last three games in Ligue 1 and has once again asserted himself as a starter within Paulo Fonseca’s side. However, Lille will have to do without him on Thursday. 

Going into the final matchday of the Europa Conference League group stages, Lille are top of their group, one point ahead of Slovan Bratislava, but seven points ahead of Thursday’s opponents KI Klaksvik. 

David, as well as Ivan Cavaleiro, who is just returning from an injury, will both miss Thursday’s match, whilst the former is also a doubt to face PSG on Sunday due to a calf injury. “I’m waiting for him to recover,” said Fonseca in a pre-match press conference, transcribed by L’Équipe. The Portuguese manager added that he was unsure whether David will be fit enough to face PSG.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

However, Jonathan David, who got on the scoresheet against Olympique Lyonnais is unlikely to be risked. The Canadian forward has a groin niggle and whilst he will likely make the bench, he is not expected to start the match. The same goes for Alexsandro, who was replaced by Samuel Umtiti late on against Lyon. The latter is expected to start and accompany Leny Yoro at the heart of Les Dogues’ defence. 

Ismaily, Bafodé Diakité and Ivan Cavaleiro are all working their way back to fitness following their respective injuries and the match against Ljubljana will come too early for them. 

Lille likely lineup v Olimpija Ljubljana

Lucas Chevalier; Gabriel Gudmundsson, Samuel Umtiti, Leny Yoro, Tiago Santos; Benjamin André, Nabil Bentaleb; Rémy Cabella, Angel Gomes, Edon Zhegrova; Yusuf Yazici. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

David, who for the past two years has been one of the most prolific strikers in Ligue 1, has not found his goalscoring touch so far this campaign. In 16 appearances in all competitions, he has just four goals, including just two in 11 Ligue 1 appearances. As a result, he has been dropped by Paulo Fonseca for the last two Ligue 1 games with Yusuf Yazici taking David’s place for the matches against AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille. 

Yazici is set to retain his place in the starting XI for the UEFA Europa Conference League tie against Slovan Bratislava. 

Lillle likely lineup v Slovan Bratislava

Lucas Chevalier; Gabriel Gudmundsson, Samuel Umtiti, Lény Yoro, Tiago Santos; Benjamin André, Nabil Bentaleb; Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Rémy Cabella, Adam Ounas; Yusuf Yazici. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Lille’s defence has looked relatively settled in recent weeks, but that backline has not contained 2018 World Cup winner Umtiti. Before coming on in the final minutes against Stade Brestois at the weekend, he had not played since suffering a concussion against Stade de Reims at the end of September. Leny Yoro, absent for the match against Slovan Bratislava, and Alexsandro have struck a good partnership, which Fonseca has been unwilling to break up. 

However, with Yoro out, the change has been forced. Ismaily and Hákon Arnar Haraldsson are the only other major absentees as they look to beat Slovan Bratislava and take top spot in their Europa Conference League group. 

Lille likely lineup v Slovan Bratislava

Lucas Chevalier; Gabriel Gudmundsson, Samuel Umtiti, Bafodé Diakité, Tiago Santos; Benjamin André, Angel Gomes; Ivan Cavaleiro, Rémy Cabella, Yusuf Yazici; Jonathan David. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle