Premier League Big Six agree to multi-million pound fines over European Super League farce
THE Premier League’s Big Six have agreed to multi-million pound fines from Uefa – as a condition of being allowed back into European football.
Uefa chiefs confirmed they had agreed “reintegration measures” with the nine clubs – including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, City and United – who recanted their attempts to lead the rebel breakaway.
As a condition of the deal, the nine – completed by AC Milan, Inter and Atletico Madrid – will share a slap on the wrist £13m “goodwill” payment to be ploughed into youth and grassroots football, including in the UK.
But all nine, who Uefa said had “acknowledged their mistake”, also agreed to give up five per cent of the money they would have received from Uefa for their next European campaign.
And they agreed they would face massive fines of £87m if they joined any future breakaway, or £43.5m if they merely committed to any such new league.
It is still an escape for the Prem six.
Manchester City and Chelsea are both likely to earn at least £110m from their exertions this season, with Champions League qualification worth a minimum £60m before they even kick a ball.
It means the Prem clubs could hand back up to £6m each, with teams in the Europa League losing an extra £1.5m.
Uefa said the agreement had been made “in the spirit of reconciliation”, with President Aleksander Ceferin noting the swift apologies from the English teams in particular.
He said: “I said at the Uefa Congress two weeks ago that it takes a strong organisation to admit making a mistake especially in these days of trial by social media.
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“These clubs have done just that.
“In accepting their commitments and willingness to repair the disruption they caused, Uefa wants to put this chapter behind it and move forward in a positive spirit.”
Ceferin, however, promised swift and decisive punishment for the three rebels – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus – who are refusing to give up on their Super League dream.
The trio face two YEAR bans from Europe after being referred to Uefa’s disciplinary beaks.
Ceferin added: “These nine clubs recognised their mistakes quickly and have taken action to demonstrate their contrition and future commitment to European football.
“The same cannot be said for the clubs that remain involved in the so-called ‘Super League’ and Uefa will deal with those clubs subsequently.”