Manchester United commit to UEFA after European Super League ruling

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 21 December 2023

Man United commit to UEFA after European Super League ruling

Manchester United insist that they "remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions" in response to a ruling from the European Court of Justice on Thursday.

Manchester United have insisted that they "remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions" after a ruling from the European Court of Justice on Thursday.

A22 Sports, who were behind the original European Super League, have put plans forward for a new competition, which would involve 64 men's clubs and 32 women's clubs.

The green light was given to A22 Sports by the European Court of Justice, which ruled that banning clubs from joining a breakaway league was "unlawful".

The original plans for the European Super League were put forward in April 2021, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona all involved.

However, the proposal fell apart quickly due to the opposition which arrived from a number of areas.

General view inside Old Trafford before the match on January 10, 2022 © Reuters

Real Madrid and Barcelona remain committed to the project, but Man United have released a statement insisting that their position "has not changed".

The 20-time English champions have insisted that they "remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions".

"Manchester United has issued the following statement in reaction to today's judgement by the European Court of Justice on the European Super League," read a statement on the club's official website.

"Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game."

Manchester United players celebrate winning the 2008 Champions League final © Reuters

A22 Sports CEO Bernd Reichart said in a statement: "We have won the right to compete. The UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is free. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction and free to determine their own futures.

"For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches. For clubs: Revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed."

However, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has mocked the proposed plans, insisting that only two clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid, are interested in playing in the new competition.

On Thursday evening, both Man City and Tottenham also released official statements confirming that their positions had not changed from 2021.