Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid could face a ban from the Champions League and Europa League, according to former UEFA CEO and now European Leagues President Lars-Christer Olsson.
Speaking exclusively on the Business of Sport podcast, Olsson said it would be “realistic” for UEFA to impose a ban on the three clubs for next season after their involvement in the failed Super League project.
Earlier this month, UEFA referred the trio to its disciplinary committee with president Aleksander Ceferin saying “UEFA will deal with those clubs subsequently”.
Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus then put out a joint statement criticising UEFA over its “unacceptable pressures and threats”.
What did Olsson say?
When asked if UEFA would ban Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus from its competitions, Olsson admitted: “I think they could.”
“A lot of people said that they should throw them out immediately,” he added. “But that wouldn’t make sense. For the next competition, I think it’s realistic.
“In my opinion, it’s a breach against the principle for association football. The matter now lies with the disciplinary bodies and they have to make some kind of legal analysis.
“But I wouldn’t be surprised if these three clubs are not turning back and becoming proper members of association football. They should not be allowed to participate in the European competitions. They will not be expelled from their leagues, of course, but I think that (being banned by UEFA) is a realistic outcome depending on how the clubs act.”
What did Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid do?
The three clubs were heavily involved in the Super League project that shocked the football world last month.
Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez was announced as the chairman of the breakaway competition, with his Juventus counterpart Andrea Agnelli the vice-chairman.
However, the Super League proposals received widespread backlash from football fans and the other nine clubs, AC Milan Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, all withdrew just days after the project was launched.
Have they withdrawn from the Super League?
No. Juventus put out a statement that acknowledged the project wasn’t viable after the withdrawal of the nine clubs, but said they remain “convinced of the soundness of the project’s sport, commercial and legal premises”.
Madrid’s Perez, meanwhile, said the Super League is “not dead” and they “will keep working” to ensure it happens.
Are they at risk of being kicked out of other tournaments?
Juventus may be kicked out of Serie A, according to the president of the Italian FA, Gabriele Gravina.
He told the Naples radio station Kiss Kiss: “The rules are clear. If Juventus is still part of the Super League when it enters next season, it can’t participate in Serie A.
It is unlikely that Madrid and Barcelona will face such punishment, after La Liga president Javier Tebas said “we are not talking about sanctions”.
“We shouldn’t rush into things at the moment,” he added. “The most important thing is these clubs have been sanctioned by their own fans.”
Source: The Athletic
