Barcelona President Joan Laporta maintained his support for a European Super League this afternoon saying it is “absolutely necessary.”
Laporta made his opinion known on Catalan public television in his first public comments on the controversial project.
He said, “The biggest clubs create the most financial resources and we must have our say in deciding how the earnings are shared.
“We are keeping a prudent stance. It is a necessity, but our club members will have the final word.”
The Spanish giants say now is not the time to reflect on the failed Super League project due to the current atmosphere of “unjustified pressure and intimidation”.
A statement read: “We feel it is equally important to highlight the objective fact that a Court of Justice has already granted urgent legal protection as requested, thus confirming right of the initiative on the part of the founding clubs of the Super League project.
“In this regard, FC Barcelona considers that it would be improper for the necessary process of reflection and debate to be established under criteria of unjustified pressure and intimidation.”
BIG FINES AND POINTS DEDUCTIONS UNLIKELY FOR ‘BIG SIX’
The Premier League Board is likely to have a big say in whatever punishments are given to Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.
The Board may yet decide to assemble a judiciary panel or a disciplinary commission – which are usually headed up by a QC – to analyse the alleged wrongdoing.
However, it is thought big fines or points deductions are unlikely.