Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has spoken on the proposals for a European Super League. (Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Ima...
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| Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has spoken on the proposals for a European Super League. (Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images) |
Bolton boss Ian Evatt believes Wanderers could miss out on potential rewards such as taking on the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in the future if the European Super League comes to fruition.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have agreed to join the project, which will be governed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Outside of the UK, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus have also agreed to take part in the midweek competition, which would see 20 clubs including 15 founder members playing one another.
The blueprints envisage the competition commencing 'as soon as practicable' and teams would continue to compete in their national leagues.
However, the plans have drawn widespread criticism from across the football world by pundits, fans and football bodies not involved in it.
The Premier League has condemned the proposals and UEFA also oppose them, as does Wanderers boss Evatt.
The ramifications of those clubs joining this competitions are potentially huge, with prior written approval needed to compete in any competition which is not the Champions League, European League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup or Community Shield.
Players also face the potential of not playing in any UEFA or FIFA international competitions if they play in an unsanctioned one for their clubs.
Though the new format is not seen as a replacement for domestic leagues, there are fears over wider ramifications on that front, with the 14 other Premier League clubs meeting today to assess the plans and consider a response.
Wanderers boss Evatt fears a knock on effect further down the football pyramid and wants to manage Bolton against the Premier League's big six in the future.
But he is concerned such a reward could be taken away from them if these proposals become a reality.
He said: “The way the pyramid system works is that success if rewarded. That is the whole point of football.
“If you are at the bottom of the league, you get relegated. If you have done well, you get promoted. You have a chance of bettering yourself, that is sport.
“Why would you take it away? I know why, it’s all money-driven.
“The Premier League might still exist in the future but without Manchester United, City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool in it, so it isn’t the Premier League.
“I want to be managing Bolton Wanderers against these clubs. Next season I want United in the FA Cup and to go to Old Trafford and have a chance of winning, or to bring them here and have a chance of winning.
“That kind of reward will be taken away from us for pure selfishness and greed. It does not sit right with me.
“What are they basing this league on? History and fan base. So they want to use those two things to get them into this so-called Super League but they forget everything that created it, the hundreds of thousands of fans who grew with the club.
“This is a huge opportunity for people in the game, supporters, to really come together and make sure that this does not happen."
Evatt have been encouraged by the overwhelming response of those opposing the proposals and repeated calls for those connected to the game to come together to ensure these plans do not come to fruition.
He said: “To be honest, from what I have seen, read and heard so far is positive.
“Fans are willing to disown their football clubs for this. I’ll use another term that Gary Neville came up with – it’s a criminal act against football. And it actually is.
“We all have to come together to stamp this out because we cannot be a part of the thing that destroys it.
“There is enough money in football for everyone to share. Why do we need more? Why do we need to be greedier?
“All this about it helping football is nonsense. They care about themselves and nobody else.
“The whole football community should come together and say ‘no’ to this.”
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