Juventus have confirmed they plan to pull out of the European Super League.
The Italian side revealed on Tuesday that they have written to Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two remaining sides, to inform the Spanish duo of their plans to withdraw from the project.
A club statement read: “With reference to rumours that appeared in today’s press, Juventus Football Club S.pA (“Juventus or the “Company”) informs that it has transmitted a communication to the two remaining clubs that as Juventus, have not exercised their withdrawal from the Super League Project (Football Club Barcelona and Real Madrid Club de Futbol) in order to initiate a discussion period among the three clubs concerning the potential Juventus’ exit from the Super League Project.
“The Company will proceed with any communications due under the law following the outcome of the interlocutions and evaluations regarding the above, clarifying that many of the reconstructed version published by the media about the contents of the communication (including any reference to alleged threats of potential sanctions by UEFA) are not true. For more information on the Super League Project, please refer to the press releases issued by the Company on 19 April and 21 April 2021.”
The ill-fated plan to set up a European Super League was announced on April 18, 2021.
Twelve of Europe’s leading clubs from England, Spain and Italy said they were launching their own competition to rival UEFA’s Champions League.
The European Super League was originally made up of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid as well as Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However the first nine listed clubs quickly backed out after receiving heavy backlash from supporters while Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus stood firm.
Juventus, who finished seventh in the 2022-23 season after being docked 10 points due to past transfer dealings, now seem to have got cold feet which would leave just Barcelona and Real Madrid to fight the cause.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said in February that he remained convinced a new European League to initially compete with the Premier League would still be launched.
“I think there will be a Super League,” he said. “In March we will have the ruling of the EU Court of Justice.
“I would not have entered into this project if it was not an open competition and it was accepted by Real Madrid, Juventus and other clubs that have not yet shown their faces but are very interested in this competition.
“What we want is for the clubs to govern. That is why the Luxembourg Court ruling is so important. I hope that UEFA will be part of the governance table.
“It will be a reality in 2025, if the resolution is favourable. If the ruling, which I believe will not happen because what is being called into question is the defence of free competition in the framework of the EU, and I believe that this will be won.
“In a first step, what we will have is a European competition that will compete with the Premiership.
“I don’t think the English teams are going to enter in the first step. What we want them to enter and there is a lot of communication with the English clubs Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham. All these clubs, most of which are for sale and some have already been sold, are interested.
“The state leagues would be maintained and this will end up with a merger between the European Super League and the Premier.”
