Revamped ESL has PL interest, insists Barca president, but PSG chief downplays claims

Paris Saint-Germain chief Nasser Al Khelaifi insists there is no chance of the European Super League being revived, despite comments from Barcelona president Joan Laporta to the contrary.

The first attempt at a breakaway competition, involving 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs, took place in April 2021 and collapsed within 72 hours due to widespread outrage from fans and football authorities.

But Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus have not given up on the league and remain determined to push it through, taking their battle with UEFA to the European Court of Justice.

In an interview with Spanish radio station RAC 1, Barca chief Laporta said: “There are many English clubs in favour of the project, but they do not expose themselves because they are awaiting the judgments of the courts.

“It is an open Super League, no longer closed, it has evolved. It will surely be the most attractive league in the world.

“I believe that in the end we will be able to establish a constructive dialogue with UEFA and that an improved Champions League can be created.

“It cannot be that state clubs go hand in hand with UEFA to do what they want and be the masters of European football. It is clear that for the survival of the clubs we cannot allow it.”

However, PSG president Al Khelaifi, who is also chairman of the European Club Association, dismisses these claims and insists the Super League remains dead in the water.

He said at the ECA General Assembly in Vienna on Tuesday: “Regarding the non-Super League, it doesn’t exist. Not the first (version), not the second.

“Everybody is against it – from the fans, the media, clubs, small and big clubs. They are three (clubs) only.”

Al Khelaifi added: “The strange thing is, they (Barcelona, Real and Juventus) enjoy playing now in UEFA competition. They’re enjoying playing in the best competition.

“I don’t think there’s a way that they potentially can do something like this (resurrect the Super League) because we are here united.

“Here at the ECA, we found our unity in 2021 – how we’ll be together, working as one family and looking after each other. I think that’s the main goal and we’ve done it.

“Now we’re looking at the potential and what we can in 2022, one of these is the increased value of UEFA competition, proving at every single angle that they’re wrong and that we’re going to grow bigger and bigger.”