Manchester United have become the first Premier League club to respond to recent developments regarding the European Super League.
On Thursday, the European Court of Justice sided with the ESL, announcing that FIFA and UEFA broke competition law by preventing the formation of the tournament.
That news was followed by A22 Sports Management, the company beyond the project, unveiling plans for a 64-team competition in a livestream.
United were initially one of six Premier League clubs part of the Super League before plans were shelved in 2021 as a result of fan backlash.
And the club were quick to distance any involvement this time around.
A statement posted on the official club website read: “Manchester United has issued the following statement in reaction to today’s judgement by the European Court of Justice on the European Super League:
“Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”The club said.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal were the other five Premier League clubs involved.
Two months after the six English clubs pulled out of the project in 2021, they said they would offer a combined 22 million pounds ($27.78 million) as “a gesture of goodwill” to go towards the good of the game, including new investment to support fans, grassroots football and community programmes.
The Premier League said they would face a 30-point deduction if they attempt a similar move in future and each would be fined 25 million pounds for any such breakaway attempt.
Bayern Munich said it was committed to UEFA competitions, saying the door for the Super League “remains closed” for the German champions.
“The Bundesliga is the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues are the foundation of other European football clubs,” Bayern CEO Jan Christian Dreesen said.
“It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them. We are also committed to the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA.”
