Marcelo Bielsa has been quoted by BBC Live’s coverage of Leeds United’s excellent 1-1 draw with Liverpool as saying that we should not be surprised by the emergence of a potential European Super League. The Argentine believes it is normal in the walk of life for those in power to exploit those with less power – and thinks that this is an example of that, in football.
Leeds managed to secure an excellent point at Elland Road against a Liverpool side that have been in good form of late. Sadio Mane scored in the first half for Liverpool, but Leeds were much improved in the second half but after going close through Jack Harrison and then hitting the bar through Patrick Bamford – it was Diego Llorente who headed home.
The Spain international’s first goal for Leeds should have been a bigger talking point than it was in the post-match interviews – but instead, the European Super League took centre stage again. Liverpool are one of six English sides who have signed up to it as a founder – along with both Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and both Milan clubs are also a part of it – while teams from Germany, France and Portugal have all rejected the chance to be a part of it. As have Sevilla, deciding against it despite numerous Spanish clubs already agreeing. It is a huge stain on football and another example that it is being turned into a business.
Asked about the potential of a European Super League, which might prevent current Premier League players from playing domestically – and even representing their countries, Bielsa told reporters that he is not surprised that the rich and powerful are trying to squeeze the sport for all of its potential money – and stated that we, a footballing family, should not be surprised either.
“It shouldn’t surprise us. In all walks of life the powerful look after their own and don’t worry about the rest of us,” Bielsa said. “The big teams are also created due to the opposition of the other teams. In the search for higher economic earnings they forget about the rest. The powerful are more rich and the weak are poorer. It doesn’t do good to football in general.
“There are a lot of structures that should have prevented these forces from coming. For me sincerely I am not surprised because in all walks of life same thing happens, so why wouldn’t it happen in football.”
