Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani has said all Premier League clubs need to come together to defend the competition from the threat of a breakaway European Super League.
Last week Fifa and Uefa issued a joint statement warning that anyone who played in a breakaway league would be banned from international competitions like the World Cup.
The response came after the circulation of a leaked document for a new league, to replace Uefa’s Champions League, featuring 15 of Europe’s biggest clubs as permanent members.
Radrizzani, who was strongly critical of the ‘Project Big Picture’ attempt by the ‘Big Six’ clubs in the Premier League to secure more power and greater resources, said the competition must be defended.
“I think the Premier League did a fantastic and wonderful job in the way that they have been creating value for this league and becoming the best league in the world. I think all the clubs and the entire domestic football need to defend and to preserve this value,” he said when asked about the Super League.
Radrizzani, who said he aims to get Leeds back into Europe as part of his growth plans, announced on Monday that the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, had increased their ownership stake in the club from 22 per cent to 37 percent with American Paraag Marathe becoming vice-chairman.
But while the Italian hopes to enjoy some “European nights” at a redeveloped Elland Road in the future, he said the game should not lose sight of the importance of national-level competition.
“The domestic league has a value that is extremely important because it is what generates resources for all the football pyramid. All of professional football benefits from the value of the top league.
“We need to be very careful to not damage something that became so important and the most recognised league in this world,” he said.
The threat of a breakaway is being taken seriously by Uefa, which organises the existing European club competitions, including the flagship Champions League.
