Boris johnson

London (CNN) The recent proposals for a European Super League have created severe headaches for the political leaders of the three nations involved. However, the pain is uniquely acute for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The English Premier League is the wealthiest football league in the world and six of the 12 teams initially signed up to the new competition are from England, with three coming from Spain and Italy respectively. The Premier League is seen as a great British success story. It's been estimated that the league's contribution to the UK economy is worth over $10 billion, while nearly 200 countries broadcast games. Consequently, Johnson has more political skin in the game than his Spanish and Italian counterparts. Along with other European leaders, Johnson has come out strongly against the Super League. Read More "How can it be right that you create a kind of cartel that stops clubs playing against each other … [Read more...] about Super League has got Boris Johnson all fired up, but path to victory looks risky

The United Nations has slammed a black-led report on British race relations which found that “institutional” or “systemic” racism does not in fact exist, claiming it normalised “white supremacy”. “In 2021, it is stunning to read a report on race and ethnicity that repackages racist tropes and stereotypes into fact, twisting data and misapplying statistics and studies into conclusory findings and ad hominem attacks on people of African descent,” read the astonishing intervention by the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, attached to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights), against the findings of Britain’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. “The report cites dubious evidence to make claims that rationalize white supremacy by using the familiar arguments that have always justified racial hierarchy,” the so-called experts alleged of the “reprehensible” British report — which was led by black academic Dr Tony Sewell. … [Read more...] about Furious UN Says UK Govt Report Denying Systemic Racism ‘Normalises White Supremacy’

An Arsenal fan protesting the Super League outside the Emirates on Monday in London. Photo: Charlotte Wilson/Offside via Getty Images When it comes to sports fans, there’s always someone willing to defend the indefensible. There are people out there who claim to enjoy Alex Rodriguez’s ramblings on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball , or who cheer for Boston-area sports teams, or who think golf is interesting. I wouldn’t want to get stuck with them on an elevator, but they exist. Over the weekend came the first sports phenomenon I can remember that absolutely no one likes. On Sunday evening, 12 top European soccer clubs, including legendary franchises like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, announced that they were launching a new competition, constructed after months of secret negotiations, called “Super League,” which exists exclusively for the richest, most powerful clubs. The new league claimed in a release that it would split $4.2 billion in estimated revenues by … [Read more...] about Why Everyone Is Enraged About the European Super League

(CNN) UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the "shameless" plans for a new European Super League (ESL) are akin to taking "football hostage." Speaking to CNN Sport contributor Darren Lewis, Ceferin did not hold back on the proposals which threaten to rock the foundations of the sport but was confident the new league would not be a success. "Because we [UEFA] respect the fans, the traditions, football, the football community, our society, we will win. In the end, we will win," Ceferin says. "If 12 people want to meet to take football hostage, just to fill their pockets that are already so full that it's hard to put anything in, they can't win. Long term, they can't win." In a joint announcement Sunday, six English clubs -- Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur -- alongside three teams from Italy -- AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus -- and three from Spain -- Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and … [Read more...] about UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says those clubs planning a new Super League are ‘taking football hostage’

(CNN) Football fans, politicians and governing bodies are united in fury after 12 of the sport's biggest teams announced plans to breakaway from European football competitions and form their own "Super League" -- a move that poses an existential threat to the world's favorite sport. Here's a rundown of what you need to know about the plans, and why they matter. What is it? It is potentially the biggest ever shake up of European club football . On Sunday, 12 of the largest -- and wealthiest -- football clubs in the world announced their intention to launch a European Super League (ESL). Read More The league would feature 20 clubs, which would include 15 founding teams, who would be permanent members. A further five clubs would qualify annually based on their achievements in the previous season. It's unclear whether those five clubs would be relegated from the ESL regardless of performance. Who is involved? The clubs … [Read more...] about What is the new European Super League and how will it work?