Former Zenit coach spoke out against the creation of the Super League

MOSCOW, January 2 Head coach of the Italian national football team Luciano Spalletti, who previously worked at Zenit St. Petersburg, opposed the creation of the Super League.
On December 21, the European Court declared illegal the actions of the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to ban the creation of the Super League. Thus, inter-club competitions such as the Super League can officially be created under European law. Following the verdict, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said it rejected the European Super League project as it would not benefit Italian football.

"We are losing the traditions of the past. People celebrating David's amazing victory over Goliath. It’s as if tomorrow will be invented and written according to the rules of the powers that be. Someone wants to dictate what kind of football we watch. They don’t understand that as long as there is a ball and space between the goals, people will continue to choose the football that they like best,” Spalletti was quoted by ANSA with reference to the Rai TV channel.

In April 2021 12 European clubs announced the creation of a new tournament — the Super League. A few days later, all English clubs announced their withdrawal from the project, followed by Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid. FIFA, UEFA, national associations, representatives of the football community and fans harshly criticized the idea of ​​a new tournament. The Italian Juventus, the Spanish Real Madrid and Barcelona remained committed to the idea of ​​the Super League, against whom UEFA opened a disciplinary case for possible violation of the legal framework of the organization in connection with the Super League project. Later, Juventus, under pressure from sanctions, launched the procedure for withdrawing from the Super League project.

Spalletti is 64 years old. Since August 2023, he has been coaching the Italian national team. From 2009 to 2014, the specialist headed Zenit St. Petersburg, under which the blue-white-blues won the Russian championship twice.