Florentino Pérez’s speech on the Super League is certainly passionate and presents a strong case for his perspective. Here are some key points to consider:
Positive aspects:
- Emphasizes freedom and the right of clubs to govern their own destiny: Pérez frames the Court of Justice ruling as a victory for free market principles and the ability of clubs to shape their own future. This resonates with the desire for autonomy often expressed by club owners and executives.
- Focuses on modernization and attracting fans: He presents the Super League as a way to modernize European football, making it more attractive to a global audience through improved competition and financial stability. This is a common argument used by Super League proponents.
- Openness to collaboration and dialogue: Pérez expresses a willingness to work with other clubs and stakeholders to develop a sustainable and attractive competition. This could potentially ease concerns about a closed-loop system and open doors for compromise.
Points to consider:
- Potential for misrepresenting the ruling: While the Court of Justice did rule in favor of clubs’ competition organizing rights, it did not endorse the specific Super League format or guarantee its implementation. Pérez’s framing of the ruling as a definitive victory for the Super League might be seen as an oversimplification.
- Ignoring concerns about competition structure: Pérez downplays concerns about the Super League’s impact on domestic leagues and smaller clubs. This is a major point of contention for many fans and critics who see it as undermining the traditional pyramid structure of European football.
- Uncertainty about financial sustainability: While the Super League promises financial stability for major clubs, its impact on smaller clubs and the overall financial health of the sport remains unclear. Critics argue it could worsen income disparity and exacerbate financial problems for many clubs.
Overall, Pérez’s speech offers a strong defense of the Super League from the perspective of club autonomy and modernization. However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks and address concerns about competition structure and financial sustainability before declaring the Super League a victory for European football.
It’s essential to remember that the ongoing debate about the Super League is complex and multifaceted. Pérez’s speech represents one perspective, but there are many other voices and opinions to consider before forming a definitive conclusion on the matter.
Here is the full speech
“From Real Madrid we welcome with great satisfaction the decision taken by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values and freedoms.
In the coming days we will carefully study the scope of this resolution, but I do anticipate two conclusions of great historical significance.
First of all, that European club football is not and will never be a monopoly again. And secondly, that from today the clubs will be the owners of their destiny. Clubs see fully recognized our right to propose and promote European competitions that modernize our sport and attract fans from all over the world. In short, today the Europe of freedoms has triumphed again and today soccer and its fans have also triumphed.
Faced with the pressures we have received for more than two years, law, reason and freedom are imposed today. And for this reason, Real Madrid will continue to work for the sake of football.
Just as almost seventy years ago we took a fundamental step in the history of soccer with the creation of the European Cup, today we again have the duty and responsibility to give European football the new impetus it needs so much. And for this, we will continue to defend a modern project, fully compatible with national competitions, open to all, based on sporting merit and that will effectively impose respect for financial fair play. A project that will bring economic sustainability for all clubs and that above all will protect the players and excite fans around the world.
We will do it despite the campaigns we have suffered and that, without a doubt, will intensify from today. But no one said that ending a monopoly after so many decades was simple.
We are facing the great opportunity to improve European club football. A football at the height of the 21st century, with a transparent governance, that knows how to live with new technologies and that once again provokes the passion and emotion that fans really need.
Let me tell the European clubs that we are facing the beginning of a new time in which we can work in freedom from constructive dialogue, without threats, without acting against anything or anyone and with the aim of innovating and modernizing football to continue nurturing the passion of the fans.
From today, the present and future of European football are finally in the hands of clubs, players and their fans. Our destiny belongs to us and we have a great responsibility before us.
This day will mark a before and after. It is a great day for the history of football and for the history of sport”.
