Cyprus Mail
European footballSport

Barca president Laporta insists Super League still alive

premier league chelsea v brighton & hove albion
The case centres on the dispute between UEFA, FIFA and the European Super League last year

Barca president Joan Laporta has insisted that the Super League project is still alive, despite the withdrawal earlier this year of the majority of founding clubs.

The Catalans, along with Real Madrid and Juventus are the only three clubs remaining in the seemingly doomed breakaway competition, which was announced in April with 12 founding clubs.

The other nine have all withdrawn and signed agreements with UEFA prohibiting them from repeating their actions, but Laporta said Barca were still moving forwards with the plans.

“The project is alive. The three clubs who are defending the project are winning all the court cases,” Laporta told television channel Esport 3.

“UEFA cannot stop it, and the pressure on English clubs, who were those behind the plans, hasn’t had any effect. Granted, it could have been presented in a better way.”

Surprisingly given Barca’s dire financial situation, Laporta said that when he became Barca president he spoke to Paris St Germain forward Neymar about the prospect of returning to Barca, with the player trying to instigate the move.

“We tried to sign Neymar. He contacted us, and he wanted to come – he was crazy to come back to the club,” Laporta said.

“However, back then we interpreted (LaLiga’s) Financial Fair Play in another way. If we hadn’t have done so, we wouldn’t have made him an offer.”

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

Mourinho says he didn’t get the same support as Ten Hag

Reuters News Service

Greek police arrest dozens over links with sports violence

Reuters News Service

Nalin helps eight-man Sri Lankans to victory

Staff Reporter

Bellingham hits late winner as Real beat Barca

Reuters News Service

Cyprus Bowls finals coming up in Paphos

Press Release

Man Utd win FA Cup thriller against Coventry on penalties

Reuters News Service