ESL Chair Florentino Perez blasts UEFA for ‘lack of transparency’

In the last 24 hours, chaos has presided over the footballing world since the announcement of the European Super League (ESL). In his first interview following the unveiling of the hugely controversial format, Chairman of the ESL and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Tuesday that plans by 12 clubs including the Los Blancos were to save football while also blasting UEFA for their “lack of transparency”.

On Monday, six Premier League teams — Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur — joined forces with Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and Italian trio Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan to launch the planned competition.

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They have decided to break away from the UEFA-sanctioned Champions League and start their new competition “as soon as possible”, with plans for three more founding members to join and for five other clubs to be invited annually.

However, UEFA said sides in the tournament will be unable to compete in their future competitions, with Perez’ Madrid as well as City through to this year’s Champions League last four.

“UEFA is a monopoly and it also has to be transparent. UEFA does not have a good image in its history. It has to be open to dialogue and not threatening,” he added.

“They (UEFA) are the threats of someone who confuses monopoly with property,” Perez told television programme El Chiringuito.

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“Madrid will not be kicked out of the Champions League, definitely not. Nor City, nor anyone else,” the Real Madrid president assured.

European football’s governing body also said players could be stopped from featuring for their countries too.

“Any player can be totally calm because that is not going to happen,” the 74-year-old said.

Perez argued that the “16-24 year-olds are no longer interested in football” because “there are poor quality matches and there are other platforms for entertainment” and hence, he opined, “football has to change.”

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“Football has to keep changing and adapting to the times. Football is losing interest. Something must be done.”

“A group of clubs from some European countries want to do something to make this sport more attractive worldwide,” Perez added.

However, the proposition of a breakaway league has flared tensions across the footballing fraternity. Fans, pundits and former players have spoken up against the execution of such a plan.