European Super League idea lives on, says Barcelona's main man Laporta

After nine of the twelve founding members pulled out amid a furious backlash to competition, the contentious project failed to get off the ground.

Barca's new president insists that the Catalan giants "want to be the owners of our own destiny" and will not apologise for participating in the European Super League idea.

Joan Laporta sticks to the Super League project and states it will still go ahead in some shape or form in the future. It was said in a note of defiance when he addressed the club's general assembly during which he explained a vote on participation in the competition was no longer necessary as the format no longer existed.

"We spoke with the clubs [involved] and said we liked [the proposals], but that we needed them to accept that our members would have to approve entry at the next assembly," Laporta said.

"It was logical to have that vote before 30 June. But now, as the format doesn't exist, I won't ask you to vote. But the [ESL] project is still alive, I insist.

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"We're still trying to enter into dialogue with UEFA. We won't apologise for trying to organise a competition. We won't say sorry to UEFA for wanting to be the owners of our own destiny.

At least not while I am president."

Laporta said the English top teams teams are now probably regretting their withdrawal from the project,

As far as the Premier League clubs go - Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham - they have all signed up as participants but eventually broke out..

"The English clubs were the competition's driving force and they got scared under pressure from UEFA," he added.

"I think they regret leaving the Super League now, seeing how UEFA have backtracked on their threats."

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Laporta claimed the Super League would bring more than "€700m in addition to variables" for Barca, and with the club reportedly over €1.2billion in debt, the sum they would get from ESL would be an incredible injection of resources to Camp Nou.

A loan from Goldman Sachs (American multinational investment bank) worth up to 625 million USD (67.3 billion KSH) was accepted on Sunday and Laporta was clear that the money will not be used for new signings.

"We're talking about the viability of the club," Laporta said prior to members voting.

"No one should think that this money will be for signings or other projects. We have to stop the bleeding."

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Last month, UEFA fined Atletico Madrid, Inter, Milan, and the six Premier League teams involved in the ESL project. The remaining big three - Barca, Real Madrid and Juventus - had disciplinary proceedings against them halted for now.