A suit alleging football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA had abused their power when they threatened to expel clubs or players who joined a proposed Super League is awaiting a verdict from the European Court of Justice.
European football was rocked in 2021 by an attempt by 12 clubs to set up a Super League, but after a backlash by fans and governments, most pulled out of the project.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus have continued to insist on a potential Super League, despite disapproval from various quarters.
“In March or April we will have the verdict from the European Court of Justice,” Laporta told radio station Cadena SER. “The Super League will be an open competition. I would not have entered in this project if the competition was not open.”
Laporta said he wanted clubs to have the capability of governing themselves and that UEFA could also have a seat at the table. “If the resolution is favourable, I think the Super League (could start) in 2025,” he added. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who presented the initial Super League project in 2021, said in October last year that football was “sick” and that a European Super League could revive it.
The “big six” Premier League clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - were part of the initial 12 clubs that proposed the breakaway project.
However they pulled out, pledging not to join the project again, and Laporta suggested the Super League could operate as a rival to the English top flight.
“I think at first we will make a European competition that competes with the Premier League,” continued Laporta. “I don’t think the English clubs would enter at the start, it is my personal opinion.” Laporta also predicted that it would “end up with a fusion down the line” between the potential European Super League and the Premier League.
Benfica condemn ‘disrespectful’ Fernandez approach
Benfica coach Roger Schmidt said the club have no intention of selling Argentine World Cup star Enzo Fernandez for less than his buy-out clause amid reported interest from Chelsea.“There is a club who want our player,” Schmidt said, without naming Chelsea. “They know that we don’t want to sell the player, they try to get the player on their side” with “a lot of money”.
Fernandez, who joined Benfica from River Plate in the summer has a €120mn ($126mn) buy-out clause in his contract, and Schmidt said the bidding club was trying to avoid paying that.
“To make the player crazy and then to pretend they can pay the clause, and later they want to negotiate.
“They try to get the player on their side. It’s disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing. There is a lot of money on the table. It confuses you a little bit,” Schmidt said of the player who has missed training in an extended stay in Argentina.
The 21-year-old was voted best young player at the World Cup after breaking into the side out in Qatar.