This Thursday, April 22nd, FC Barcelona released their official statement regarding the European Super League (ESL) and what comes next for the Catalan club in regards to this proposed competition.
Turmoil would be the proper word to define the last couple of days in the football world. Just a few days ago, the top European teams, including FC Barcelona, announced the creation of a new competition, the ESL. However, the founding clubs probably never expected the reaction that this declaration would provoke. As of now, the majority of the clubs have left the ESL. In their statement, Barça, has made it perfectly clear that the “socios” will have the final say in whether or not the club will join the tournament in the future.
However, the club also believes that “given the current socio-economic climate, that there is a need for structural reforms to guarantee the financial sustainability and feasibility of world football by improving the product that is offered to fans […] and even increasing the fan base on which this sport is sustained, which is its mainstay and greatest strength.” It is well known that FC Barcelona have a massive economical debt and therefore this kind of competition is seen as a quick fix to the issue.
The club also accepts that this kind of competition requires a deep analysis and investigation before even starting. Barca leaves open the possibility of being part of ESL in the future.
