Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta reaffirm opposition to European Super League plans

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Amid the talk of a European Super League (ESL), Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta said they are not in favor of the project.

"We remain in the same position and we love playing in the Champions League and will continue to do so," Arteta said at a pre-match news conference.

"The conversations (with the owners) that we had were very clear after what happened two years ago. I think the club has issued a statement that is very clear and transparent. We'll stick to that," he added.

Spanish manager Arteta emphasized the importance of caring for fans after speaking out on the controversial European Super League.

"Football supporters and the passion they bring to the game is the reason they are the most important part of the game,” he said.

- Klopp says he was "100%" behind Liverpool rejecting any involvement

Klopp welcomed Liverpool’s stance.

"I agree 100% with that statement. But I am delighted that we finally get a bit of an understanding that FIFA and UEFA and other bodies cannot just do what they want," he said. "In the future, we have to talk about a lot of stuff and if we just do the things they do -- like putting in more competitions and playing more games -- and we don't have a real say in it and on what is going on, I like that they get a bit of a shake," the German coach added in a news conference ahead of a clash against Arsenal.

The European Court ruled Thursday that FIFA and UEFA rules on prior approval of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League in 2021, were contrary to EU law.

The European Super League was a proposed competition between 12 European football clubs -- Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Juventus, Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid -- in 2021.

FIFA and UEFA objected to the project, threatening to impose sanctions on clubs and players who might decide to participate, and most of the clubs involved quickly distanced themselves. Sports development company A22, which was formed to assist with creating the ESL, has now given new proposals.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have said that they are still interested in the ESL.