Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that they will not be one of the clubs joining the proposed Super League, a big win for UEFA and the European Clubs Association.
Plans for the formation of a new European Super League were unveiled on Sunday, with 12 founding clubs having already signed up for the competition which has been designed to rival the current Champions League.
It has been reported that three more clubs will soon be added to the founders list, with a further five teams set to be granted entry if they meet certain qualification requirements – but Dortmund have distanced themselves from the project.
Dortmund chief executive Hans Joachim Watzke revealed the club’s stance on the Super League in an official statement, while also confirming that they are fully behind the proposed Champions League reforms that are set to be voted on this week.
“The board members of the European Club Association (ECA) came together for a virtual meeting on Sunday evening, where it was agreed that the board’s decision from last Friday still stands,” said Watzke.
“This decision dictates that all clubs wish to implement the proposed reforms to the UEFA Champions League. The ECA board members took a clear stance in rejecting plans for the establishment of a Super League.”
Watzke went on to substantiate reports that Bayern Munich have also opted out of the competition, adding: “Both German clubs on the ECA board, FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, shared exactly the same stance throughout all discussions.”
Which clubs have already signed up to the Super League?
The Premier League will be represented in the Super League by the traditional “big six”, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham all set to participate.
Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been included, with the three clubs currently making up La Liga’s top three teams, while Juventus, Inter and Milan have joined from Italy’s Serie A.