Barcelona are still committed to the starting point of a Super League, although they admit that the planned format of the competition must be changed.
Many had expected the La Liga giants to announce their withdrawal from the breakaways after the revelation that eight of the 12 teams originally announced would no longer support the plans.
Barcelona have refused to withdraw from the Super League | Eric Alonso / Getty Images
Alongside Barcelona, only Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid have not explicitly moved away from the Super League, although the two aforementioned Serie A sides have released statements to address the current format of the competition.
With only four teams left, Barça have remained steadfast in their commitment to shake up the European football we know, but in a statement released on their official website, they acknowledged that the proposal needed to be changed.
“Given the general reaction that the above project has generated in many different areas, there is no doubt that FC Barcelona appreciates the need for a much more in – depth analysis of the causes that have caused this reaction to reconsider whether it is needed, and “To the extent necessary, the proposal, which was originally formulated and resolves all of these issues, is always in the public interest of the football world. Such an in-depth analysis requires time and the necessary calm to avoid making a decision,” the statement read.
“We believe it is equally important to highlight the objective fact that a court has already granted urgent legal protection upon request, thus confirming the right of initiative of the founding clubs in the Super League project.
Joan Laporta apparently remains involved in the Alex Caparros / Getty Images plans
“In this regard, FC Barcelona considers that it would be inappropriate for the necessary process of reflection and debate to be established according to criteria for unjustified pressure and threats.”
The statement went on to explain why the club had agreed to join the Super League in the first place, claiming that the opportunity was simply too good to reject.
“Barcelona shares with most major European football clubs, and even more so given the current socio-economic climate, that there is a need for structural reforms to ensure the sustainability and feasibility of global football by improving the product offered to fans around the world and through to consolidate and even increase the fans on which this sport is maintained, which is its mainstay and greatest strength, “the statement added.
“In this context, FC Barcelona’s Board of Directors, as an immediate matter, accepted the offer to, as a founding member of the Super League, a competition aimed at improving the quality and attractiveness of the product offered to football fans and at the same time, and as a of FC Barcelona’s most impossible principles, seek new formulas for solidarity with the football family as a whole.
Ronald Koeman’s side remains in the Super League at the moment Fran Santiago / Getty Images
“The decision was made in the conviction that it would have been a historic mistake to reject the possibility of being part of this project as one of its founders. As one of the world’s leading sports clubs, our intention should always be to be at the forefront, this is an indispensable part. of the club’s identity and its sporting, social and institutional spirit.
“In any case, FC Barcelona, as a club that has always been and will always be owned by each of its members, reserves the right to submit such an important decision to the final approval of its competent social bodies after careful consideration. and much-needed study of the proposal. “
