Despite Boris Johnson stating in March that ‘greed is good’
the government is “exploring every possibility, including legislative options”, to stop the proposed European Super League, the prime minister has said. It appears that greed is not good now. Given Mr Johnson’s weather vane approach to values and morality we should not be surprised.
Speaking after talks with officials from football’s governing bodies, Boris Johnson said “no action is off the table” in seeking to block the formation of the league.
A Number 10 statement said: “The prime minister confirmed the government will not stand by while a small handful of owners create a closed shop.
“He was clear that no action is off the table and the government is exploring every possibility, including legislative options, to ensure these proposals are stopped.”
Fans’ representatives also joined the call with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, which came as the backlash against the proposed European Super League continues.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are among the 12 founding clubs of the breakaway competition.
The PM has promised the government will do all it can to give the “ludicrous” new league a “straight red”.
The prospect of introducing sanctions or passing legislation in a bid to scupper the move have not been ruled out.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told Sky News earlier that the league had been “dreamed up by money men” and “must be stopped”.
He said the government could implement legislation and sanctions to stop it going ahead but would first be encouraging the six clubs to “step back” from the proposals put forward.
Labour’s shadow culture, media and sport secretary Jo Stevens said the proposal is “a real watershed moment for football” and that Labour will support the government in attempting to stop it from going ahead.
The party has written to the Competition and Markets Authority, querying whether the new league raises competition issues.
In response, the CMA has said it will be “carefully considering” the European Super League proposals.
UEFA, in a joint statement with the Football Association, Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, criticised the plans and did not rule out legal action.
It also threatened to ban players from all other competitions at domestic, European, or world level, meaning they could be prevented from playing for their national teams.
Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said his organisation strongly disapproved of the plans.
He told the UEFA Congress: “We can only strongly disapprove the creation of the Super League, a Super League which is a closed shop, which is a breakaway from the current institutions, from the leagues, from the associations, from UEFA and from FIFA.
“There is a lot to throw away for the short-term financial gain of some. They need to reflect, and they need to assume responsibility.”
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