Outgoing Barcelona president discloses Super League plan

potential launch of a European Super League was given credence Tuesday when Barcelona’s outgoing president revealed that club had given its initial approval to a new competition.

Josep Bartomeu said it was one of his last calls before resigning from Barcelona, adding fuel to growing reports about new Europe-wide competition where elite clubs could play each or more often.

Currently, UEFA-run Champions League is only top-level club continental competition teams play in. It was t immediately clear from Bartomeu's comments who would be organizing a Super League or if such a competition would only replace Champions League.

“I can anunce that we approved requirements to be part of a European Super League," Bartomeu said. " decision to play competition w must be ratified by next (club) assembly.”

anuncement alarmed head of Spanish league, Javier Tebas.

“Unfortunate Josep Bartomeu anuncing on his last day participation in a phantom competition that would ruin (Barcelona) and reiterating his igrance about football industry,” Tebas tweeted. “A sad end for a president who did many things right but that lately made many mistakes.”

Bartomeu has been one of most influential figures in shaping future of European competitions. Until July, he was a member of UEFA’s Professional Football Strategy Council, which is at heart of European policy with four seats each for national associations, clubs, leagues and FIFPro players' union.

European Club Association did t immediately respond to a request for comment. Bartomeu is a member of board of directors of ECA, which is led by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli who also sits on UEFA’s decision-making executive committee representing clubs.

ECA board is next due to meet in vember ahead of UEFA’s executive committee meeting in early December.

Only last week, UEFA spoke out against launch of any breakaway Super League after Real Madrid president Florenti Perez was reported by Sky News to be one of driving forces behind a plan to launch a European Premier League.

“ principles of solidarity, of promotion, relegation and open leagues are n-negotiable,” UEFA said. “It is what makes European football work and Champions League best sports competition in world. UEFA and clubs are committed to build on such strength t to destroy it to create a super league of 10, 12, even 24 clubs, which would inevitably become boring.”

Im credit: AP