FC Porto turn down opportunity to join breakaway Super League
FC Porto president Pinto da Costa has announced that Porto were approached to join the newly-founded breakaway Super League - but they have no intention on joining.
In an announcement addressing the controversial subject area, the long-serving club president made it clear that Porto would have no interest in participating in a competition which goes against the rules and regulations of the biggest continental organisations.
“There has been informal contact from some clubs, but we have not paid much attention for two reasons. Firstly, the European Union does not allow for a closed circuit competition like the NBA. Secondly, because our Portuguese football association is against this and as part of UEFA, we cannot participate in anything that is against the principles and rules of the European Union and UEFA.”
“If that goes forwards, something that I have a lot of doubts about, UEFA will not end… We are not concerned. We are in the Champions League and we hope to continue to be there for many years.”
What is the Super League?
The news of a new breakaway competition involving some of the biggest, most reputable clubs in world football has revurberated across the globe, and there was concern that one of the Big Three clubs in Portugal may get sucked into the conversation.
With such financial incentive offered simply for competing in this isolated competition, many would have been justified in thinking that the Portuguese champions would struggle to turn down the proposal - but everyone almost unanimously will be delighted to see Porto stand by their supporters and firmly decline - and oppose - the plans.
The Super League is a joint proposal made by 12 clubs. The ‘Big Six’ clubs from England have, alongside the three most reputable sides from Spain and Italy, joined forces in breaking away from existing European competitions to form their own closed-off tournament, which is due to start in the earliest possible instance.
Their intention is to form a new annual continental competition, made up of 20 teams - 15 of which will make up founding members and will automatically qualify for each edition, with 5 others will then qualify each year depending on their achievements over the course of a season.
In a statement by each club, they made it clear that their intention would be to continue to compete in their respective domestic leagues alongside this new closed-off tournament - but every major organisation, from national to continental level, have come out to vehemently oppose the plans and have indicated that any clubs that break away will not be eligible to compete in their national competitions.
Players of the clubs may also be banned from competing in international competitions such as the European Championships and the World Cup.
