Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined the Hellenic Football Federation on Tuesday in condemning the decision of 12 rich clubs to establish the European Super League.
Mitsotakis weighed in on the controversy saying it is “wrong.”
“The possibility of the unexpected makes football so exciting. The proposal from a few wealthy European clubs to form a closed league totally cuts against the history and tradition of the game,” Mitsotakis said on his official Twitter account.
“It is wrong – plain and simple. Fans will not accept it.”
Earlier, the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) also condemned the move by AC Milan, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Internazionale, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, to create an exclusive league.
The newly elected head of EPO, Theodoros Zagoarakis said that the responsibility of football in Europe rests with European federations – members of UEFA.
“Under no circumstances should the content of European football be diluted by the creation of a closed League, which would distort competition,” the former Greek international and captain of the Euro 2004 winning team said.
“We should not allow the formation of a closed League, which would sever all ties with the domestic federations and effectively stifle national championships, which in turn fund amateur football,” he added.
UEFA anger with European Super League
Zagorakis met UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin on Monday who later launched a scathing attack against 12 clubs who decided to create the European Super League.
Ceferin threatened the clubs and their players with sanctions. “The players that play in the Super League will be banned from playing in the World Cup and Euros. They will not be allowed play for their national teams.”
“UEFA and the footballing world stand united against the disgraceful self-serving proposal we have seen in last 24 hours from a select few clubs in Europe that are fueled purely by greed above all else.
“My opinion is that as soon as possible they (the clubs) have to be banned from all our competitions, and the players from all our competitions,” the UEFA President added.
Critics say that the establishment of such an exclusive club will further increase the gap between the rich and the poor teams throughout Europe, and in effect bar the excluded clubs from competing against the best teams.
The English Premier League released a statement saying a super league would “destroy” the premise of open competition.
“Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best,” said the statement. We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream.”
The rebel clubs say that “the formation of the Super League comes at a time when the global pandemic has accelerated the instability in the existing European football economic model.
“The pandemic has shown that a strategic vision and a sustainable commercial approach are required to enhance value and support for the benefit of the entire European football pyramid.”
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