Inter’s decision to join a new European Super League makes perfect sense, according to their former chief executive Ernesto Paolillo.
The Nerazzurri were one of 12 leading European clubs to announce their participation in the new franchise last night, in a group of founding members which also included Serie A rivals AC Milan and Juventus.
The new league is due to start ‘as soon as practicable’ but has received widespread condemnation from football officials and supporters, with UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin dismissing it as ‘a nonsense project’ and ‘disgraceful’.
Speaking to Teleradiostereo today, Paolillo admitted: “I’m surprised only 12 clubs have signed up, that’s a very small number.
“A league with only 12 teams wouldn’t have much appeal and I imagine the organisers are surprised by that number as well.
“It’s a very clear sign though: if the big clubs want to offer a great spectacle, sign the best players and be super competitive, they need lots of liquidity.
“The revenues they receive from their league competitions or the Champions League are no longer sufficient.
“There are two options: either UEFA create a new continental league, which is much bigger and expanded than the Champions League, or there’s going to be a split between the big and small clubs.
“It’s clear though that the Super League clubs can’t leave their domestic leagues though, because this would mean asphyxiating 50% of other teams, with a knock on effect for lower leagues and youth systems.
“I’m certainly in favour of a Super League if the teams stay in their leagues as well, but without the element of promotion and relegation it would be a disaster.”
Inter, AC Milan and Juventus would be joined in the Super League by six Premier League clubs (Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham) and three La Liga teams (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid).
The games would be played in midweek, overlapping with the UEFA Champions League but allowing clubs to keep playing in their domestic leagues.
