UEFA's way -- or no way
Private company's Super League plans rejected
Posted: Tuesday August 25, 1998 03:07 PM
GENEVA (AP) -- Leaders of Europe's major domestic soccer leagues
on Tuesday rejected rival plans for a breakaway Super League.
UEFA's Committee for Professional Football said it opposed the
project by Media Partners, a Milan-based company, for the formation
of a new league composed of Europe's most elite clubs.
"This committee rejects this private project," said Italy's
Antonio Matarrese, the committee chairman and also a UEFA vice
president. "The committee does not feel it deserves our
attention."
The meeting was attended by UEFA general secretary Gerhard
Aigner and the heads of European leagues, including Peter Leaver of
England's Premier League and Franco Carraro of Italy's Serie A.
Also attending were leaders of the leagues in Portugal,
Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgiam, Austria and Spain.
Maarrese said there were "moments of antagonism" among
members but by the end of the meeting all were in agreement in
opposing the Super League plan.
The meeting came one day after Media Partners discussed the
proposals with leading European clubs in London.
Media Partners hopes to form a Super League by 2001 involving
the biggest names in European soccer, including Bayern Munich,
Ajax, Inter and AC Milan, Manchester United and Arsenal.
However, UEFA could seek to head off the threat of a breakaway
leauge at a meeting in Monaco on Saturday, where changes to the
format of the three major European club championships will bediscussed.
Aigner confirmed Tuesday that UEFA plans to merge the UEFA Cup
and Cup Winners Cup.
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