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Pérez says clubs ‘on edge of ruin’ and can’t wait for 2024
‘We don’t want the rich to be richer and the poor poorer’

Florentino Pérez painted a dramatic, dark portrait of football’s future and presented himself and the 12 breakaway clubs as its saviour as he attempted to justify plans for a Super League over which he will preside. In the first interview with any of the key figures behind the plan, the president of Real Madrid claimed that the purpose of the league, which he hopes will start “as soon as possible”, is to “save football”. He insisted that the 12 clubs could not wait until 2024 for Uefa’s new Champions League format because “by 2024 we’re dead”.
Pérez said football was in “free fall”, that TV viewing figures were dropping and rights declining. “€5,000m has been lost by the clubs; we’re on the edge of ruin,” he insisted. “We don’t want the rich to be richer and the poor poorer. We have to save football. Everything I do is for the good of football, which is in a critical moment.” Continue reading...