Super League could start next season: Barca chief Laporta / Photo: Pau BARRENA - AFP/File
-
Millions angry with Trump expected to fill American streets
-
Attacks across Middle East as Iran war enters second month
-
Late surge lifts Thunder, Celtics rally to down Hawks
-
Tiger Woods arrested, charged with DUI after Florida crash
-
Antonelli leads Mercedes one-two in final Japan practice
-
Unease for Iranian-Canadians after shooting at ayatollah critic's gym
-
Sequins, slogans, conspiracies: Inside the right-wing culture at CPAC
-
NBA fines T-Wolves center Reid $50,000 for ripping refs
-
Sinner ousts Zverev to book Miami Open final with Lehecka
-
McKellar hails 'special memory' after Waratahs stun Brumbies
-
Tuchel takes positives from scrappy England draw against Uruguay
-
Japanese star Sakamoto signs off with fourth world skating gold
-
Tuchel disappointed after England fans boo White
-
US envoy hopeful on Iran talks as strikes target nuclear facilities
-
Controversial African champions Morocco salvage Ecuador draw on Ouahbi debut
-
Dutch end Norway's unbeaten run as Haaland rests
-
'Strait of Trump': US president says Iran must open key waterway
-
Wirtz steals show as Germany win thriller in Switzerland
-
White jeered on England return as Uruguay snatch friendly draw
-
Tiger Woods arrested, charged with DUI after Florida crash: police
-
Oyarzabal double fires Spain to win over Serbia
-
More to IOC gender testing than appeasing Trump: ex-IOC executive
-
Japan's Sakamoto ends career with fourth world skating title
-
'Whatever it takes' - Sabalenka faces Gauff for second straight Miami Open crown
-
US hopes for Iran meetings 'this week': envoy Witkoff
-
Uncertainty over war-induced oil crisis dominates key energy summit
-
Czech Lehecka beats France's Fils to reach Miami Open final
-
No pressure? Pochettino urges US co-hosts to 'play free' at World Cup
-
Duckett eager to show hunger for England success after Ashes flop
-
'We are ready': astronauts arrive at launch site for Moon mission
-
Fishy trades before major news spark insider trading allegations
-
Tiger Woods involved in Florida car crash: reports
-
WTO reform talks coming to the crunch
-
Renaissance master Raphael honored at New York's Met museum
-
At 'Davos of energy', AI looks to gas to power its rapid expansion
-
Israel hits Iran nuclear sites as Washington trails end to war
-
US court overturns $16.1 bn judgment against Argentina over oil firm seizure
-
England quick Tongue backs Cooley to make him a better bowler
-
Stand at new Inter Miami stadium to be named for Messi
-
G7 urges end to attacks on civilians in Middle East war
-
Mideast war leaves 6,000 tonnes of tea stuck at Kenya port
-
US and Israel hit nuclear sites as Rubio trails end to Iran war
-
Van der Poel holds on for third straight E3 Classic victory
-
Missing aid boats 'safely' crossed to Cuba: US Coast Guard
-
'Everyone knows we are African champions', insists Senegal coach
-
China used fake LinkedIn profiles to spy on NATO, EU: security source
-
Djokovic withdraws from Monte-Carlo Masters
-
English rugby chief says no talks with Farrell 'at present'
-
G7 ministers urge end to attacks against civilians in Mideast war
-
Overnight petrol queues in Ethiopia as war shortages hit
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.
P.Silva--AMWN