Luis Figo voiced his displeasure at the proposed ‘European Premier League’ and fears it could ‘destroy football as we know it’.
Sky News released a report on Tuesday claiming that Liverpool and Manchester United entered talks to become members of a breakaway competition known as the European Premier League.
Clubs from Spain, Germany, France, and Italy are also on the radar for potential talks in joining this new-look tournament.
While nothing is set in stone right now, the competition organizers are in talks with Wall Street bank JP Morgan over a reported $6 billion (£4.6bn/€5.1bn) funding package, and FIFA is said to be on board.
Opposition has been met from some high-profile figures, though. Gary Neville, for one, has labeled it as ‘another wound for football’.
.@GNev2 says the idea of a European Premier League is "another wound for football" and criticised the timing of talks during a pandemic as "obscene".
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 20, 2020
Responding to the former Manchester United defender’s remarks on Twitter, Figo made his stance crystal clear.
The former Barcelona and Real Madrid winger, who ran for FIFA presidency in 2015, albeit briefly, wrote: “What I read about this Super League idea will destroy football as we know it.
“It’s all about greed and keeping the game for a few elite clubs, while killing the other clubs and leagues that fans love.
“Football should unite! Everyone should oppose it!”
What I read about this Super League idea will destroy football as we know it. It’s all about greed and keeping the game for a few elite clubs, while killing the other clubs and leagues that fans love. Football should unite! Everyone should oppose it! https://t.co/98VC6xd2qX
— Luís Figo (@LuisFigo) October 21, 2020
It’s not the first time there has been talk of a breakaway competition either. Liverpool and Manchester United, in fact, attempted to steer life into the ‘Project Big Picture’ not so long ago. Had that been a success, the ‘big six’ English clubs would’ve had greater voting rights on domestic matters.
If a European Premier League is to go ahead, however, it may lead to questions over the Champions League.
UEFA, who intent to revamp the competition for 2023/24, released a statement on Tuesday confirming it strongly opposes the European Premier League idea and stated it would ‘inevitably become boring’.