Man United Join Atletico, Bayern, PSG In Strong ESL Statement 

Following the verdict on Thursday, Manchester United, along with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, released a strong statement regarding the European Super League (ESL).

United became the first Premier League team to firmly refuse rejoining a new European Super League (ESL) following the Super League propagators’ historic victory in European courts. The ruling comes after courts declared that UEFA regulations prohibiting the creation of a competition infringed EU law. This was followed by the declaration of fresh plans for a three-tier rebel concept. Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atletico Madrid all released comments condemning the breakaway competition, expressing a similar stance.

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The club officially put out a statement which read: “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”

Whereas Bayern Munich CEO and Vice-Chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), Jan-Christian Dreesen said: “We have taken note of the judgement of the European Court of Justice. However, this does not change FC Bayern’s and the ECA’s position that such a competition would be an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the structure of European football. The Bundesliga is the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues are the foundation of other European football clubs. It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them. We are also committed to the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA. So let me make it very clear once again that the door for the Super League remains closed at FC Bayern.”

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of PSG, who has been very vocal against the ESL “wholly and completely” rejected the “so-called Super League.”

“Paris Saint-Germain rejects wholly and completely any so-called Super League project, which has been the case since day one and will always remain the case,” he said.

“As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European Sports Model, upholding values of open competition, inclusiveness, and working with all recognised stakeholders of European football – most importantly for the fans and players, who are the heartbeat of football.”

The Premier League also made their opposition clear to the ESL and said: “The ruling does not endorse the so-called “European Super League” and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept. Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a “breakaway” competition that severs the link between domestic and European football. The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.”

Executives from English clubs have reportedly ruled off the prospect of further English participation in the ESL, according to The Telegraph. It is believed that the new Football Governance Bill will act as a disincentive for Premier League teams who participate in these kinds of competitions.

“There’s no chance of Premier League teams joining unless they want to be thrown out of English football,” said a government source to The Telegraph.

Whereas, club officials added: “We are collectively committed to the Premier League and recognise our responsibility to support it. We will not engage in the creation of new competition formats outside of the Premier League’s rules.”

Two years ago, the ESL project—which was originally intended to compete with UEFA’s Champions League—saw a swift collapse as a result of opposition from national governments, domestic leagues, and fans. It appears that the European Super League (ESL), which is still supported by Real Madrid and Barcelona, will continue to face dire circumstances in the foreseeable future, even with the favourable verdict from the European court.