Arsenal says it opposes a European Super League after a meeting of leading English Premier League clubs sparked fresh talk of a breakaway by the elite.
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The Sun photographed City chief executive Ferran Soriano leaving the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, as well as Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Liverpool’s Ian Ayre.
Arsenal and Manchester United – two of European soccer’s richest teams – are opposed to setting up a new continental competition to replace the Champions League amid media speculation that a USA marketing company was plotting a replacement for the region’s top club tournament.
The story sparked an outcry from supporters who claimed it highlighted the greed of the clubs at the top of the Premier League, yet an Arsenal spokesman has told the Press Association that the report was wide of the mark.
Sources confirmed to ESPN FC that the main focus of Tuesday’s meeting in London was to discuss the International Champions Cup, the preseason tournament which has seen major clubs play in the U.S., China and Australia.
British newspapers the Daily Mirror and the Daily Telegraph have picked up on The Sun’s report, with The Times acknowledging the European Super Leauge “could even threaten the clubs’ participation” in the Premier League. “We entirely support the current structure, the Premier League as it is and the Champions League as it is”.
Should Manchester United miss out on Champions League soccer this season, they face a significant loss in revenue with clubs receiving about US$16 million for reaching the group stage and then further financial incentives should they progress. Premier League rivals Manchester United won it in the second year by beating bitter rivals Liverpool 3-1.
If they finish in the top four they would both now be guaranteed entry to the Champions League but it is unlikely they would make it in a fully-closed system.
Spurs are away to West Ham on Wednesday, while the title hopes of fellow contenders Arsenal and Manchester City were also boosted by Leicester dropping points.
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“At the moment, there are no concrete proposals on the table”.
