The European Super League (ESL) plans have gained support from Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who also claimed that UEFA is “by no means a great Samaritan for football fans.”
It was revealed earlier this month that ESL intended to launch a new competition that might eventually have up to 80 teams in it.
Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus were among 12 clubs to announce a breakaway Super League in April 2021.
However, the move collapsed within 48 hours after an outcry from fans, governments and players forced Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid to pull out.
As Madrid continue to push the ESL with Barcelona and Juventus, Kroos has come out in favour of the breakaway competition and said it is destined to take place.
“I think we will see the Super League. And I believe so for several reasons,” he told podcast Einfach mal Luppen.
“The idea of the Super League has changed and deserves to be heard.
“If you look carefully from both angles, you will see that UEFA is by no means a great Samaritan for football fans and that the Super League has no plans, at least in the second attempt, to exclude any team, because there will be no permanent founding members.
“It is a sports competition, an open tournament, but managed by the clubs and not by UEFA, because these clubs believe that they do not need UEFA for that. I think this deserves at least one chance.”
What Else Did Toni Kroos Say?
A22 Sports Management, a company formed to sponsor and assist in the creation of the breakaway football league, previously said there were 10 principles that emerged from the discussions, including improving competitiveness, financial sustainability and fan experience.
“I think we have only heard the UEFA side, and too often in my opinion,” Kroos added. “Why is it OK for UEFA to introduce a Nations League that no one needs? Suddenly no one asks them about it.
“That’s why I think it’s incredibly important to listen to other proposals like the Super League. I get the feeling that we are no longer being listened to.
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“Although we have already talked about the loss of passion for football, I believe that the Super League has the opportunity to reverse that situation. Let there be more enthusiasm and emotion for the games that we will be able to see.
“Because in the end, let’s not fool ourselves, many people always say: ‘Who wants to see Real Madrid against Manchester City every week?’ But have you gotten tired of watching Federer against Nadal over and over again? I don’t. That’s my opinion.
“I think we can attract the fans and get them back to football, and it could also bring a completely different enthusiasm to the neutral fan.”
Toni Kroos has shown his support for a new European Super League 👀 pic.twitter.com/tPsO9VvOHg
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 17, 2023
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