Open Thread: April 21, 2021

The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.

European Super League Suspended

The English clubs coming under forceful political pressure and backing out was apparently the turn of the tide.

ESL Statement from Tuesday

This statement came in the aftermath of a cascade of teams dropping out of the proposed league:

The European Super League is convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change.

We are proposing a new European competition because the existing system does not work. Our proposal is aimed at allowing the sport to evolve while generating resources and stability for the full football pyramid, including helping to overcome the financial difficulties experienced by the entire football community as a result of the pandemic. It would also provide materially enhanced solidarity payments to all football stakeholders.

Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due the pressure out on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations as was demonstrated today by a court decision to protect the Super League from third party actions.

Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.

La Liga President Tebas launches disparaging tirade against Florentino Perez

Among other things he called the Real Madrid boss a “disastrous president,” an astoundingly bold statement for a president of the team which currently holds the La Liga crown and recently won 4 UCLs in 5 five years.

Florentino Pérez has been walking around clueless since December, and since yesterday he’s been very lost. He looked terrible to me,” said Tebas, in reference to Pérez’s interview with El Chiringuito TV on Monday.

“He doesn’t know the industry, he gives non-existent information, he doesn’t know the information. I think he’s a great construction businessman but a disastrous president.”

Tebas expressed his staunch opposition and condemnation of the plans to establish the new ESL in a Tweet on Sunday, in which he slammed the architects of the new “powerpoint super league” for being “drunk with selfishness and a lack of solidarity.”

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin declares the bonded FIFA / UEFA “unbeatable”

UEFA held a congress today in Montreux, Switzerland which featured Giani Infantino and Aleksander Ceferin giving speeches in which they lectured about their own virtue, their moral stewardship of football, and the evils of greed. The following are statements from Ceferin quoted by CBSSports, bold added.

“With these reforms I believe we are building the football of the future… while a few selfish people are trying to kill the beautiful game.”

“For some, supporters have become consumers, fans have become customers and competitions have become products.”

“Selfishness is replacing solidarity. Money has become more important than glory, greed more important than loyalty, and dividends more important than passion.”

“You showed that you care about the values of football,” he said, speaking to Infantino. “And if we stand together, we are unbeatable.”

“Gentlemen, you made a huge mistake,” Ceferin said in reference to the English clubs who supported the ESL. “What matters is that there is still time to change your mind.”

PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been re-elected to UEFA’s executive committee

This is the board which decides on matters such as Financial Fair Play and regulation of the Champions League.

Javier Tebas, La Liga’s president, has been ratified for UEFA’s executive committee as well