Agnelli: “The Superlega did not fail. Desperate need of reforms”

The president of Juve at the conference organized by the Financial Times: “I will wait for the European Council of Justice to say if the current body is suitable. Eleven clubs out of 12 are still bound”. The 12th is Inter, which had an entry clause linked to the ok of the assembly.

From our correspondent Luca Bianchin

March 3
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Andrea Agnelli is in London, guest of the Financial Times Business of Football Summit for half an hour. At times he jokes but the meaning of the intervention is very serious: to reaffirm his position (and not only him) on the Superlega. On the day of the speech by Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, it is a very clear long-distance clash. “Today the world of football needs profound reforms – says Agnelli -. Compromise is no longer a choice. Is a monopoly operator fit to lead a business like football? I think no”. The concept is clear: UEFA is a “regulator, monopolist and that regulates access to competitions”. In short, for Agnelli and the promoters of the Superlega he cannot manage competitions and exploit their marketing at the same time.

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court

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This opposition has a definite point of arrival: the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union, probably expected by the end of 2022, on the legitimacy of the role and powers of UEFA. “I have great faith in the Court of Justice, guardian of the European identity and its values. They will judge whether UEFA is operating in accordance with the Treaty. Should Uefa be dissolved? I will sit down and support transparent governance. I will wait for the European Court of Justice to tell us if the current body is fit for purpose “.

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inter free

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A known scenario, but decisively re-affirmed. The novelty in Agnelli’s words, on the other hand, is the explanation of his alleged betrayal at UEFA in April 2021, the days of the Super League. “I made it clear to UEFA, in writing, that as Juventus president I was working on something different. They replied that I would be eligible for the Executive Committee. These are the facts “. In short, Agnelli says he had a go-ahead in writing and explains that, due to the logical confidentiality pact signed with the members of the Superlega, he could not have revealed anything about the project. A response to those who accused him of being a traitor. In all this, another novelty: Agnelli clarifies that only 11 out of 12 clubs are still bound to the Super League. Who is the 12th, free from ties? Inter, who at the time of entering the competition signed a clause for which his entry would have to be subjected to approval in the assembly.

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juve 2027

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Last but not least, one sentence says a lot about Agnelli’s and Juventus’ (unchanged) plans. First the president reiterates that the Super League “did not fail”, then agrees to make a prediction on Juve. Last question before saying goodbye: “In five years will you see Juve still in the Champions League?”. His answer: “I see her playing in the main European competition …”.

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