Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool, Arsenal and Barca rule out breakaway European super league
Some of the most influential men in club football used the setting of the Champions League draw here in Switzerland to dismiss the latest talk of a breakaway European Superleague. [LNB]Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who is also the vice-president of the European Club Association, said: 'My belief is that it's not possible because we have a memorandum with UEFA that we have to respect. Under this memorandum the terms of this agreement run to 2012 and we have to respect this.'[LNB]'On principle I am very satisfied with the format of the Champions League and at the same time I think we have to respect the national associations and the leagues that are organising the domestic leagues. We have to respect this and we feel comfortable in this format.'[LNB] Cream of Europe: Nyon gets ready for the Champions League draw[LNB]British members of the European Club AssociationEngland: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle.[LNB]Scotland: Celtic, Hearts, Rangers.[LNB]Wales: The New Saints.[LNB]Northern Ireland: Linfield.[LNB] Liverpool departing chief executive and former Premier League chief executive Rick Parry said: 'It's nonsense. There haven't been any discussions about it.[LNB]'A European Superleague would damage the English game. The view of the major clubs is that everyone is happy with the balance of domestic and European football. I don't see any realistic prospect of it happening in the near future. It's just not on the table.'[LNB]No thanks: Liverpool chief exec Rick Parry doesn't think a superleague would work, nor does Arsenal's Ivan Gazidis (below right with club secretary David Miles)[LNB] [LNB]Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: 'I wasn't aware of any discussions on it. I think the Premier League works very well and I think the Champions League works very well. They are great competitions and we are very happy to be part of them.'[LNB]Gazidis spoke also spoke briefly on the subject of the Cesc Fabregas spitting row and the accusation that Arsenal did not show Hull City enough respect during the FA Cup tie at the Emirates earlier this week.[LNB]'I don't want to comment on it beyond saying we have a lot of respect for Hull City, a lot of respect for Phil Brown, and a lot of respect for their chairman, Paul Duffen,' said Gazidis. [LNB]'If they decide to take it further with the FA we will obviously co-operate with that fully and whatever charges are brought, whatever issues are raised, we will be helpful in coming to a conclusion.[LNB]'But we pride ourselves on respecting all our opponents. Certainly if you look at Hull City this season how could you not respect their achievements? The team they have built. Their character and ability. [LNB] Powerbrokers: Barcelona president Joan Laporta (foreground) with Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in Nyon[LNB]'I think we had an incredibly tough game against them the other night and I only wish the focus had remained on the football. It was a great game and we needed a large slice of fortune to squeeze past them.'[LNB]Gazidis then confirmed that there was no video footage of the alleged incident between Fabregas and Brian Horton because there is not a CCTV camera in the tunnel.[LNB] Sportsmail predicts... A United-Liverpool final, despite Chelsea's inside trouser leg knowledge [LNB]CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW: Liverpool and Chelsea face another European showdown[LNB]CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW AS IT HAPPENED[LNB]ALL THE WEEKEND TEAM NEWS IN THE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE [LNB][LNB]
