October 6 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the three remaining European rebels are afraid of being chucked out of the new-look Champions League.
UEFA were taken to the European Court of Justice in July after the remaining rebel Super League clubs accused it of abusing its power to block rival events and penalise players and clubs.
The court’s advocate general is due to deliver his opinion on December 15, with the final verdict not likely until several weeks later, the outcome potentially affecting the entire future of European club competition.
Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona are sticking to their guns but Ceferin says they were quick to sign up for the new Champions League format starting in 2024.
The Slovenian had an amicable rapport with Juventus president Andrea Agnelli and is even the godfather of the Italian’s daughter.
But in his latest comment on the ongoing legal battle, Ceferin remarked: “Now I no longer have a relationship with Agnelli, and I didn’t even have much contact with (Real president Florentino) Perez in the past.”
“We have three club presidents who continue to claim it for their ego, but they were the first to sign for the new Champions League format, because they’re afraid of being expelled.”
Ceferin – a strong proponent of the recently added Conference League – also praised the competition’s success and popularity when he appeared at annual the congress of AIPS.
He compared the viewership of the final involving Roma and Feyenoord to last season’s Europa League final.
“The Conference League final that involved Roma last season had more views than the Europa League final,” he said.
“Some smart guys told us no-one will not watch this and now the same guys are asking why we don’t have the finals in bigger stadiums for all fans?”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713434024labto1713434024ofdlr1713434024owedi1713434024sni@w1713434024ahsra1713434024w.wer1713434024dna1713434024