UEFA president Ceferin calls for inclusivity amid new Super League reports

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin expressed his support for inclusivity in European football on Wednesday following reports of new meetings with the company behind the failed Super League project.

“Europe sets standards in world football,” Ceferin said during a speech at the general meeting of European football clubs – formerly the European Club Association – which represents around 800 teams across the continent. “And it is precisely for that reason that we see attempts from outside to reshape the game.”

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo recently reported that UEFA had met several times with Madrid-based A22-Sports Management – which organized the failed launch of the Super League – plus Real Madrid and Barcelona.

«Change is part of the football story. We know that very well. But lasting value only comes from unity, from balance and from reforms that strengthen everyone, not just a few,» Ceferin said. “UEFA will not and will never organize a competition for just twelve clubs.”

In 2021, a group of twelve of Europe’s most storied clubs announced plans to create a new competition that would have essentially replaced the Champions League – UEFA and Europe’s elite club tournament. The controversial plans, which were met with anger by fans and politicians, would have protected 15 top clubs from relegation and guaranteed teams’ participation regardless of their success in domestic competitions.

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in 2023 that UEFA and FIFA acted in breach of EU competition law by blocking plans for a Super League. So late last year A22 launched a revised breakaway proposal with 96 teams in four leagues with promotion, relegation and exit from the league – as well as a women’s tournament.

“UEFA wants the dream to stay alive,” Ceferin said. «We will ensure that our club football is inclusive. And that everyone has the chance to win the best competitions. … Football is not just about balance sheets. It is not just entertainment. It is the life of our communities. It is the streets, the clubs and the fans that shape it. And if we pull it too far away from those roots, we risk breaking it.»

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Ceferin’s comments came two days after UEFA reluctantly said it would not oppose tradition-breaking plans for Barcelona to play a league match in Miami and AC Milan to play in Australia, amid fierce opposition from fan groups across the continent.

Glenn Micalleff, the European Union’s top sports official, hinted at a reaffirmation by UEFA to continue blocking breakaway proposals.

“In Europe we don’t believe in closed competitions,” Micalleff said. «That is not the way we do sport. Our principles ensure that success on the pitch is earned and not guaranteed by privileges. So UEFA was right to take an initial position on this. And it was right again in its decision this week.»

Published on October 8, 2025