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“It’s a Football Genocide” – Arsenal Legend Blasts Florentino Perez-Backed European Super League; Warns Leaving the Game Forever

Published 12/24/2023, 7:41 AM EST

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The soccer world was recently immersed in a huge conundrum. The European Super League was given a cushion by the European Court of Justice, calling out FIFA and UEFA not to interfere in its establishment. While Florentino Perez, head of Real Madrid, backed the initiative, a former Arsenal legend fiercely criticized it, dubbing it a “genocide” of the sport.

Deeply distressed by the idea of such a league, the expert did not even once hold back his thoughts. Joining many other institutions and experts, he is not the only one to express dissent about the idea. In fact, he even warned of cutting his ties with the sport.

A former World Cup winner slams Florentino Perez and Super League

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UEFA and FIFA actively voiced their opposition to the European Super League proposal in 2021. But after the tribunal ruled in favor of the rebel league, former France player Emmanuel Petit called the league detrimental to the sport. Speaking on Rothen s’enflamme, Petit said, “They have already killed part of football. They are destroying football, it’s a football genocide.”

 

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Even though the majority of fans have opposed the idea of such a tournament, the soccer world still seems to be a bit divided on the issue. Florentino Perez welcomed the move by the tribunal and said that the decision was a setback for the monopoly of FIFA and UEFA. But the former France international opposed him, grieved the division of the sport, and stated that it had already hampered the spirit of competition.

Moreover, Emmanuel Petit also warned of totally disconnecting from the sport if the Super League is able to establish itself successfully. The plan by A22, is to have 64 top teams across Europe. Petit made it big in his career by winning major tournaments like the World Cup and Euro now turned into a reputed pundit. However, many other teams have already backed out of the league.

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European Super League ignored by former supporters

The idea of the Super League was to spin off from UEFA and conduct a tournament independently. The League planned to include other clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester City who were in favor of such a breakaway.

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But fast forward two years, teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, came out and sided with UEFA recently. The league received heavy backlash from the fans for wanting to move away. The clubs, however, did not want to lose support from their fanbases and made their stance clear that they would withdraw participation. Do you see the Super League coming to fruition? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Ruthu

771Articles

One take at a time

Growing up in a sporting background, I found a passion for soccer through the remarkable 2002 World Cup-winning Brazilian football team. Watching the Premier League where Thierry Henry-starring ‘Invincible’ Gunners and Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious Manchester United had ruled, I had my heart set on Arsenal. However, Ronaldo Nazario, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho are my favorite players and Lionel Messi is the GOAT.
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Edited by:

Anuj Jacob