The president of Spain’s La Liga yesterday shot down suggestions for a European super league, saying it will likely face stiff resistance from national leagues and fans.
Javier Tebas dismissed reports that Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid were seeking the formation of an exclusive European league which would see a closed competition of 20 sides from the continent.
Madrid-based newspapers Marca and AS reported in February that Real was pushing for a European league after growing disgruntled with the Spanish league.
“The phenomena that there will be a Super League is never going to happen because the national leagues like English Premier League and Bundesliga in Germany, they are very consolidated,” Tebas told AFP through a translator.
“It is impossible that the Spanish fans could accept that Real Madrid quits Spanish football,” he added, pointing out that Real makes 70% of its income from the Spanish market.
Tebas said the proposed super league made up of football giants over the continent would mean some clubs have to finish in “10th, 11th or 12th”, and he does not see fans of these sides accepting such low rankings.
Tebas spoke to AFP on the sidelines of the launch of La Liga’s office in Singapore as part of moves to expand their presence in Southeast Asia, a football-crazy region of more than 600mn people.
La Liga already has offices in Dubai, China and India.
Aleksander Ceferin, president of European football’s governing body UEFA, vowed on Wednesday that no super league will be formed under his watch, although media reports said major clubs were unofficially discussing the idea.
Some of the reports suggested that Real is unhappy with the disparity of income compared to English sides.
Tebas said however he was “sure” the Spanish League would catch up with the English Premier League economically in eight to ten years.
According to consulting firm Deloitte, English clubs generated 4.4 bn euros ($4.75 bn) in revenues in the 2014-2015 season compared to 2.3bn euros for the Bundesliga and 2.05bn euros for La Liga.
“With our strategy now, we are reaching the international markets, we are going to reach this kind of effects soon,” Tebas said.
He pointed out that La Liga had adjusted its match timings such that Asian audiences would be able to catch some matches late evenings instead of waiting until past midnight.
Tebas said one of the main reasons why La Liga chose to open an office in Singapore is the presence of Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, who owns Spanish club Valencia.
Valencia finished fourth at the end of Lim’s first season, but slipped to 12th last season and are now languishing in 14th place with 10 more games to play.
Lim faced an open revolt in January when supporters took to the streets to call for his departure after a 4-1 Copa del Rey defeat by Celta Vigo and fans on social media rallied around the hashtag #LimGoHome.
Cologne reject $50mn Chinese offer for Modeste
Berlin: Cologne say they rejected a bumper offer of 50mn euros ($54mn) from China for prolific French striker Anthony Modeste — but admit he could move to the English Premier League.
The 28-year-old has scored 22 of Cologne’s 37 goals this season to leave his side sixth in Germany’s top flight.
Modeste’s contract runs until 2021 and Cologne vice president Toni Schumacher said: “We are happy that we have turned down the offer from China.
“First it was for 40mn, then 50mn, but he left no one in doubt that he wants to stay with Cologne,” Schumacher told Sky Sport News yesterday.
He did not say which team made the offer, but reports say it was Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian, who have also been linked with Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga (R) speaks while badminton star and La Liga ambassador Carolina Marin (L) listens during the official launch of Spanish Football League La Liga office in Singapore yesterday.
