Premier League clubs still in Super League talks - CEO

Premier League clubs have held private talks with the promoter of the European Super League since a landmark court ruling in December, the promoter's chief executive has said.

English football's co-called 'big six' - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - were founder members of the original Super League project in April 2021 but quickly withdrew amid fan protests and pressure from the football authorities and the British Government.

All six publicly distanced themselves from efforts to launch a new competition in the wake of a ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on 21 December, but Bernd Reichart, the chief executive of A22 which promotes the Super League concept, insists English clubs have been involved in dialogue with his organisation since then.

Asked directly whether there had been conversations with Premier League teams since the ECJ ruling, Reichart told the PA news agency: "Yes of course. It's absolutely a logical and natural process.

"Everyone is trying to get a sense of what the ruling could mean, it's the professional obligation of clubs to know what this change in club governance in Europe could mean for them.

"It's a great opportunity, why shouldn't everybody have a look at it neutrally and decide what's best for their clubs, their members and their fans? We are aware that clubs all over Europe are currently involved in that process and we try to assist them and help them."

The ECJ said UEFA's criteria governing how rival competition organisers access the market must be transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.

Reichart said there were clubs in Europe who had publicly declared support for UEFA and its existing competitions who have