‘Fabulists and failures’ – PSG boss hits out at Super League bosses

Robin Bairner

6 Sept 2021 19:28 BST
3 min read

Lionel Messi at his PSG presentation with Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo — © ProShots

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has hit out at his counterparts at the clubs that intended to form a European Super League, branding them “fabulists and failures”.

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On 18 April, 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs released a statement indicating that they were forming a breakaway league, though within 72 hours the plan had crumbled.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham were all ‘Founder Members’ from the Premier League who quickly backed away, while Milan, Inter and Atletico Madrid similarly withdrew.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus – three clubs in financial strife – are still clinging to the possibility of the competition being formed, however.

In the wake of the event, Al-Khelaifi became the new head of the European Clubs’ Association, and his first speech in the position took aim at the leaders of the 12 Super League teams.

I will not spend much time talking about 18 April and the 'not-so-Super League' because I do not like to focus on fabulists and failures

- Nasser Al-Khelaifi

“I will not spend much time talking about 18 April and the 'not-so-Super League' because I do not like to focus on fabulists and failures,” he explained in Geneva, particularly criticising Barca, Madrid and Juve, who have not yet been welcomed back into the ECA due to their ongoing hopes the competition will take off.

“Together we defended the interests of European football for everyone. We relied on the resolve and strength of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who stood up to the midnight coup. He said: ‘We will win'’ and we did.

“While the three rebel clubs waste energies, twist narratives and continue to shout at the sky, the rest of us are moving forward.”

PSG get UEFA backing

PSG chief Al-Khelaifi appointed ECA chairman as Super League fallout continues — © ProShots

Al-Khelaifi and his PSG side continue to cut controversial figures, however, due to a lavish wage bill, which has led to the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma arriving this summer.

Cerefin spoke out in defence of present Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

“Cost control systems and competitive balance measures are two different parts of one body,” he said.

“Of course they are inter-related but they have two different objectives. We can and we will work together on sensible measures to address competitive imbalance where necessary.”

Meanwhile, PSG continue to chase their first Champions League title and will face Super League club Man City in the group stage.