The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has insisted that the proposed European Super League would not affect the running of domestic leagues as it is being feared in some quarters.
He urged the handlers of the local leagues across Europe to reduce the number of clubs that are allowed to participate in the leagues to make the leagues stronger.
Since late last year, the report that some corporate bodies and clubs are working on the introduction of European Super League, a seasonal competition that will accommodate only the top clubs in Europe. This means that the proposed league would not be for clubs that don’t command a worldwide appeal.
The report on the proposed European Super League surfaced again recently when it was confirmed that $6 billion has been set aside for the competition. The hefty sum of money is proposed to be used in kick-starting the league during the 2022-2023 season.
According to reports, there are already 15 founding clubs that have been contacted for the 20-team seasonal competition and those founding teams are expected to earn £310million each to kick start the campaign. Afterward, each club that will participate in the competition will earn the sum of £213 million every season.
Manchester City are said to be among the 15 founding clubs that might kickstart the European Super Cup and Pep Guardiola seemed not to be bothered about the proposed league. His concern is about making the domestic leagues stronger by reducing the number of clubs that are allowed to participate in them.
“I have the feeling we cannot lose the local leagues, what it means for the FA Cup, the leagues,” Pep Guardiola said.
“What we should do is make every single league in Europe stronger than what it is, fewer teams, better championships, better League One, better League Two, better Premier League with fewer teams in every competition. Go to the quality
over quantity.
“To make a super Premier League, you have to reduce the teams, but we cannot kill the lower divisions or the Premier League itself.”
Though the plans for the introduction of the European Super League seemed to be growing stronger, the warning FIFA and the six continental confederations gave recently might be a big obstacle to the actualization of the plan.
Earlier in the week, FIFA’s statement in conjunction with the six continental confederations warned that any player or club that gets involved with the proposed money-spinning competition would not be allowed to participate in FIFA and confederations competitions.
FIFA and the six confederations have released a statement in light of recent media speculation about the creation of a closed European 'Super League'.
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) January 21, 2021
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