Prem clubs face £87m ESL penalty
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have been threatened with future fines of £87million if they attempt to join another breakaway European Super League.
And UEFA is also planning “appropriate action” against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus for refusing to renounce the controversial project.
Twelve top clubs – including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – signed up for the ESL last month before fan pressure forced the English clubs to pull out.
All six Premier League clubs, plus Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan, have now made peace with UEFA, accepted financial penalties and committed themselves to their competitions.
The nine will pay a combined “goodwill contribution” of £13m to children’s and grassroots football across Europe, and will be docked five per cent of UEFA competition revenues for one season.
A spokesperson for Manchester United confirmed the Glazer family would personally cover their club’s fines, expected to be up to £8.5m. The £87m penalty will be imposed for any repeat of the breakaway league, while Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus face bigger fines and potential bans.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (above) said: “I said at the UEFA Congress two weeks ago that it takes a strong organisation to admit making a mistake, especially in these days of trial by social media. These clubs have done just that.
“In accepting their commitments and willingness to repair the disruption they caused, UEFA wants to put this chapter behind it and move forward in a positive spirit.
“The measures announced are significant, but none of the financial penalties will be retained by UEFA. They will be reinvested into youth and grassroots football in communities across Europe, including the UK.
“These clubs recognised their mistakes quickly and have taken action to demonstrate their contrition and future commitment to European football. The same cannot be said for the clubs that remain involved in the so-called ‘Super League’ and UEFA will deal with those clubs subsequently.”
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group will pay the UEFA sanctions.