European Super League: Joan Laporta and Florentino Pérez Celebrate The CJEU Ruling
By Shree Desai
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in the favour of A22 Sports in the Super League case. Only two clubs have backed the project following the ruling. Unsurprisingly, the clubs in question are FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Joan Laporta has been an open supporter of the project since its proposal. We can trace the reasons back to the mishandling of the club's finances by the previous president and co. Josep Maria Bartomeu and his men almost set the club to bankruptcy.
Bartomeu left Barça with the contribution of a €1+ billion debt. Thanks to the leadership of Joan Laporta, the Blaugranes have managed to steer clear of doomsday. After the ruling of CJEU, Laporta and Florentino Pérez have expressed their contentment, fully expressing their support.
FC Barcelona put out the following statement...(via goal.com)
"FC Barcelona wishes to express its satisfaction with the sentence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) assessing the Super League project as proposed by A22 Sports. As one of the clubs driving the Super League project, FC Barcelona feels that the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe by opposing the monopoly over the football world, and wishes to initiate new discussions as to the path that European competitions should take in the future."
Pérez stated that it was a historic moment...(via goal.com)
"At 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 freedom.
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 freedom has triumphed again and today football 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."