Florentino Perez believes that football needs a radical change in the form of the European Super League.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reiterated his support for the Super League idea, believing it to be the solution to football’s “sickness”.
Real Madrid were one of 12 teams who signed up to a breakaway league last April. However, the idea collapsed after a hostile reception from the football community worldwide.
While all six English clubs pulled out of the competition, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus refused to renounce the European Super League.
Speaking at his club’s annual general meeting on Sunday, Perez said:
“To fix a problem, you have to first recognize that you have a problem,”
“Our beloved sport is sick. It’s losing its leadership as a global sport.
“We mustn’t be confused by the impact of Real Madrid’s (Champions League) run (last season) when we were involved in seven games of the highest intensity and interest.
“That’s why we believe European competitions must change, to offer fans top-level games year-round between the strongest teams, with the best players competing.
“The Super League format will never be an obstacle stopping a constructive and free dialogue to address the very serious problems in European football. Problems that we must urgently solve.”
He added: “(In men’s tennis, Rafael) Nadal and (Roger) Federer played each other 40 times in 15 years. So far, Nadal and (Novak) Djokovic have faced each other 59 times in 16 years.
“Is this boring? These historic clashes have grown tennis as a whole.
“In football the figures are staggering. It turns out we have played Liverpool, a historic team with six European Cups, only nine times in 67 years. And only three times in Madrid.”
