Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has responded to the latest European Super League developments, stating that the financial gap between the Dons and Celtic could double.
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that the FIFA and UEFA rules on prior approval of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League, are contrary to EU Law.
However, the judgement has also stated that there is no guarantee a future European Super League would be approved.
Regardless, the decision has thrust a potential ESL back into the headlines with agency A22 Sports unveiling a new 64-team format that Cormack thinks Celtic could be a part of moving forward.
The Dons chairman said on social media site X: “This ruling will most likely change European football forever. Replacing the 3 current European cup competitions will be approx. 60 clubs forming 3 leagues based on ranking and being guaranteed a minimum of 14 European club games each season… with the only opportunity for clubs ranked 61+ being to go through qualification rounds to enter the third league only, where there will be relegation.
“This will be the Trojan horse towards a European Super League and ultimately cross-border leagues because when the biggest clubs leave their National Leagues the commercial value for the remaining teams will plunge.
“Your board at Aberdeen FC has been expecting this decision for some time. Throughout our history, including this season’s group stages, the appetite for European football if anything has grown significantly.
“We are working with like-minded clubs across Europe to make sure we do our utmost to deliver European club competition with similarly competitive clubs, the absence of which will lead to double the current gap in finances versus Celtic and Rangers, who will be included in those 60 ranked teams. As usual, in Scotland, we have slept-walked our way into this without any discussion.”
Celtic pledge themselves to future with UEFA
Cormack speaks with an inevitability here and presumes Celtic’s interest in a breakaway format.
However, Celtic have made it clear before that they are keen on pursuing a future within European football alongside UEFA and today, again, released a statement to that effect.
While it currently appears that UEFA have the backing of many big clubs – with Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich also showing support today – the new ESL proposals could put pressure on them to further revamp the Champions League.
Big changes are coming from the 2024/25 season with eight group stage games guaranteed for those who qualify. But is it enough change for clubs fearful of falling further behind the English Premier League?
We could see the landscape change over the next decade but, for now, Celtic are committed to the UEFA and European Club Association framework, not an ESL – despite Cormack’s verdict today.
In other news, Celtic beaten by Chelsea in Wednesday night Premier League International Cup clash.
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