UEFA bluntly rejects Saudi Arabia's participation in the Champions League
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 31.08.23. | 16:56
General secretary talked about the Saudi Pro League and the Rubiales scandal
About two weeks ago, it was first Corriere dello Sport and then the reliable Calcio Finanza who reported that the fastly growing Saudi Pro League is about to ask UEFA to give them one place in their strongest competition – the Champions League. As the Italians claimed, the Saudis were about to ask UEFA for a special invitation to participate in the elite European Cup from the 2024/25 season. These reports shook the football world, but according to UEFA's main man, nothing will come out of it. On top of that, Aleksander Ceferin wasn't too kind when talking about the Saudi Pro League.
Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA President): “As far as I know, Mbappé and Haaland do not dream of Saudi Arabia. Top players at the top of their game, I don’t think they would go to Saudi Arabia. When I’m told about the players who have gone there, no one knows where they play.” @lequipe pic.twitter.com/qOkSpjLrOz
— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) August 31, 2023
UEFA's general secretary gave an interview to L'Equipe and talked about the 'attack' on Europe's players from the Saudi Arabia. And he didn't mince words.
"It's not a danger. We saw a similar approach in China, which bought players at the end of their careers by offering them a lot of money . Result: Chinese football didn't develop or qualify for the World Cup after that. It's not the right way. If they do, they should work on training players and coaches, but that's not my problem. There are players at the end of their careers and others who are not ambitious enough to aspire to top competitions. As far as I know, Mbappé and Haaland don't dream of Saudi Arabia. The best players at the top of their football I don't think went to Saudi Arabia. When people tell me about the players who went there, nobody knows where they play. This mainly interests the media, but not so much the European football community. We'll see, but I don't think for a second that this could threaten our competitions" said the Slovenian.
One of the most important questions was the potential participation of a Saudi Pro League champion in the Champions League, as well as a USA based finals in the competition. Ceferin poured cold watter on both ideas.
"A media outlet spoke about this without even asking us. Only European clubs can participate in the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League. Only European Federations can apply for a final, not even clubs. We would have to change all our rules and we don't want that" said UEFA's general secretary.
🚨UEFA breaks silence about Luis Rubiales
— ata football (@atafball) August 30, 2023
Aleksander Čeferin to @lequipe
"What he did was inappropriate. We all know that."
"He is suspended from all duties. It is not necessary to suspend him twice. That's enough for now because the disciplinary committee will decide.” pic.twitter.com/NW8jNovEV1
The scandal involving Spain's football boss Luis Rubiales was obviously one of the questions, especially he and Ceferin are friends. UEFA's secretary condemend his behaviour but didn't go into more behaviour.
"I am a lawyer and one of the vice-presidents of FIFA. His case is in the hands of the disciplinary body of the International Federation. Any comment I could make would sound like pressure. I just have to say that I am saddened that such an event overshadows the victory of the Spanish team. We should change things. Today I met with Laura McAllister (UEFA vice-president) to find ways to change the way we behave. We must do more. Of course what he did was inappropriate. We all know it. I hope he knows that it was inappropriate. This is enough for now because the disciplinary committee will decide. He is suspended from all his duties, everywhere. It is not necessary to hang him twice" said Ceferin.
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