Barcelona chief names 15 clubs he claims are signed to European Super League

Joan Laporta says he does not care if Premier League sides are not part of the new competition, which he thinks is set for launch next season or the year after

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has named 15 clubs that he says are ready to join a European Super League that could begin as early as next season.

And Laporta says he does not care if Premier League clubs decide to join or not after the six English sides who were part of the initial plot for a breakaway tournament three years ago continue to distance themselves from a plot to form a competition separate from UEFA.

Speaking to Catalan outlet RAC 1, Laporta said: “Whether or not the English come, I don’t care. They already have a Superliga with the Premier League.”

Laporta then went to list the clubs who he alleges have agreed to take part – leaving out Paris Saint-Germain in addition to the Premier League clubs.

“In addition to Barca and Madrid, there would be the Italians: Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma. Also French teams such as Olympique de Marseille, and the three Portuguese, Sporting, Benfica and Porto, who would be delighted to come. And there are the Dutch teams (Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV) and Bruges and Anderlecht from Belgium. A 16-team competition would be better.”

Laporta added that “any team in La Liga, except Atletico Madrid” would be welcome to join and he railed against how the Champions League has created a distorted financial environment.

“The players, the agents, UEFA and the state clubs are getting rich, they are playing wherever they want, while the clubs are ruining us. We are not getting enough from Europe’s top competition.” Barca, the club Laporta is in control of, currently have more than £1bn of debts.

Feyenoord, meanwhile, have confirmed their position has not changed and they have no intention of joining the Super League despite Laporta’s allegations.

Laporta’s comments come after A22 Management, the company behind the Super League plot, last month said 20 clubs have already signalled their desire to join a Super League.

A22 management’s co-founder Anas Laghrari said they have spoken with 50 clubs across the continent since a court ruling in December said UEFA had broken European competition law.

“I don’t want to say their names because I don’t want to expose them,” Laghrari said. “Since December 21, we have spoken with around 50 different clubs. About 20 of them are very, very motivated by the project. We already have enough clubs to start a competition.

‘We are very busy talking to different clubs, fan associations, players and people who are involved in football on a day-to-day basis. They all call us to better understand this project because, since it is possible and legal to propose an alternative, the actors want to work. We can work together to improve football.”

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