Super League could start next season: Barca chief Laporta / Photo: © AFP/File
-
Catlin to make Masters debut after cruising to Hong Kong win
-
Far-right leader Le Pen kicks off tilt at French presidency amid nationwide protests
-
Katsuragawa hails 'greatest moment' with South Korea win
-
Naomi Osaka could quit tennis if daughter asks her to
-
Japan's Yoshida wins first LPGA Tour title with South Korea win
-
Last MotoGP race at Phillip Island cancelled due to weather in Marquez setback
-
Comeback kings Brewers down Rays to take 2-0 World Series lead
-
Sri Lanka seeks faster green energy shift after oil shocks
-
Sri Lankan turbine project fuels anger as fish hauls plunge
-
Riyadh airport resumes flights following Houthi attacks
-
No LeBron, no problem as Sixers roll on
-
'Call of Duty' North Korea invasion edition tops sales charts in South
-
Israel to close all land crossings with West Bank on election day
-
Musk accuses Ukraine of violating Starlink's terms of service
-
'Tech debt coming due': AI-found flaw signals chaos ahead
-
Fed expected to hold rates steady days ahead of US midterms
-
Stop-motion 'Wildwood' showcases 'human creativity' in AI age
-
More Lula, or back to the Bolsonaros? Brazil votes in cliffhanger
-
Obama blasts Trump's 'chaos and cruelty' while campaigning for Democrats
-
Jorge Martin out of Australian MotoGP with fracture: team
-
Bolsonaro leads Lula in final Brazil election polls
-
Antonelli storms to US Grand Prix pole on weekend he can take title
-
Antonelli storms to pole for US Grand Prix
-
Apologetic Alvarez fires Atletico to win against Deportivo
-
Alvarez fires Atletico to win against Deportivo
-
Lens beat PFC in Ligue 1 matchday impacted by social unrest
-
Japan's Nakai wins Grand Prix de France for second straight year
-
Valkyries hit back against Dream to level WNBA Finals
-
Ronaldinho to make comeback in Italian third tier
-
'Fighting for our rights': Paris protesters determined to march on
-
Israeli forces displace Hebron families after deadly attack
-
Clashes break out in Paris, other French cities amid fresh protests
-
Hamilton on top with Antonelli fourth in final practice at US Grand Prix
-
Spurs seal rare win at Chelsea as Palmer sees red
-
Beier late show sends Dortmund top of Bundesliga
-
Nearly 1,000 arrested in French protests marred by 'elevated' violence: minister
-
Police and protesters clash again at Albanian anti-government rally
-
France extends detention of suspected racist shooter
-
Arteta hails mentality as Arsenal go level with Man City
-
Andrade and Nemour star as Biles cheers at world gymnastics champs
-
Clashes break out in Paris, other cities amid fresh protests
-
Nigeria's Tinubu defends record as economy bites ahead of election
-
Bouthier kicks Vannes to first Top 14 win of season
-
'Guiding star' Fuellkrug bags Bremen brace, Leipzig win
-
Thousands rally for Lula and Bolsonaro on eve of tight Brazil vote
-
Man City's perfect start ended by Aston Villa, Arsenal go joint-top
-
Red-hot Fuellkrug bags Bremen brace, Leipzig win
-
Arsenal sink Everton to join Man City at Premier League summit
-
Thousands gather at new Albanian anti-government rally
-
France protests: Latest developments
Super League could start next season: Barca chief Laporta
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Friday that a European Super League project could begin as soon as next season, adding that he does not care if English clubs join or not.
The Spanish giants, along with Real Madrid, launched a Super League project in 2021 which quickly collapsed after fan and institutional fury, with the other clubs pulling out.
In December the European Union's Court of Justice said world and European football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA had infringed competition law by blocking the breakaway league.
Super League promoters A22 Sports Management swiftly announced plans for a new 64-team tournament to compete with or replace UEFA's Champions League.
"The Super League could start next season, or it will be in 2025-26, and if not, I will rethink everything," Laporta told RAC1 radio station.
Six Premier League clubs were part of the initial proposal but pulled out and have shown no intention of returning.
"I don't care if the English teams join," added Laporta.
"They already have their Super League -- the Premier League."
Laporta said the project could begin with just 16 teams.
"The European Cup started in 1955 with very few clubs and later became the top competition in Europe," said Laporta.
"I imagine a first phase like this, and (more clubs) then integrating."
The Barcelona president suggested options for the clubs who might join the league along with Madrid and Barca, including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma and Napoli from Italy.
Laporta named Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica as potential participants from Portugal, Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven from the Netherlands, as well as French team Marseille and Belgian outfits Club Brugge and Anderlecht.
German giants Bayern Munich and French champions Paris Saint-Germain have criticised the Super League project and Laporta said they would not be involved.
A European Super League has been touted as a creation for overspending clubs to improve their financial situation.
"The Super League means that you're putting 100 million euros ($109 million) on the table for a club just for competing in the competition, at least, and you don't even get that for winning the Champions League," said Laporta.
D.Bachmann--VB
