Tebas Opposes the Super League, Barcelona’s Path to Stability
In recent days, Spain’s football scene has seen notable comments from Javier Tebas, head of La Liga, expressing relief at indications that Barcelona is moving away from the controversial European Super League project and edging closer to the European Club Association. Tebas argues that this shift is a positive development not only for the Catalan club but for European football as a whole.
Tebas spoke during an event honoring the Spanish journalists' association, a moment dedicated to supporting inclusion and volunteer work in sport.
In a radio interview with Cadena SER, Tebas noted that Barca president Joan Laporta had said the Super League made him feel unsafe, adding that he would be very happy if the club withdrew. He said he is not a fan of the European Club Association either, but would rather see Barcelona remain within it than join the Super League.
With this statement, Tebas seemed to send a double message: a clear rejection of the Super League, and a subtle nod of support to Barca as it seeks a more official football framework that could bring stability to the European scene.
New challenge at Camp Nou
On the so‑called Spotify Camp Nou renovation, Tebas said he has not spoken directly with Barcelona's management about the matter, but he has followed news on building permits and the regulatory hurdles the club faces.
He added, "I would have liked Barcelona to be back in its stadium already, but there are permit‑related issues. If they must wait a bit longer to clear these hurdles and return to a world‑class venue, patience is preferable to complaining."
The comment reflects Tebas’s belief that the renovation project, while potentially painful in the short term, will eventually benefit the club and La Liga, given the stadium’s symbolic value and its role as a revenue and fan magnet.
From idea to collapse: the Super League saga
The European Super League is among the most controversial projects in modern football. Its roots go back to the early 1990s, when major clubs, especially in England, Italy and Spain, began proposing a closed, elite competition with financial and administrative independence from UEFA. The concept took form in April 2021, when 12 European clubs publicly announced the launch of the tournament.
The original lineup included Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid from Spain, and Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal from England, plus Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan from Italy. The plan was to operate on a closed format with permanent membership, a move many described as an overhaul of football’s traditional values.
The announcement sparked an outcry from fans, federations and even players and coaches. The strongest blow came when the English clubs withdrew under massive public and political pressure after just 48 hours, causing the first version to collapse quickly.
Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus kept the faith
Despite the withdrawals, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus persisted, arguing the project would break UEFA’s monopoly on European competitions. The clubs based their campaign on principles of free market and competition within the European Union.
In December 2023, the European Court of Justice delivered a ruling seen as a partial victory for the pro‑Super League side, confirming that UEFA does not possess an absolute right to ban new competitions, though it retained authority to regulate official tournaments. The decision revived hope for the project, with backers proposing a revised, open model that would allow broader participation based on sporting criteria, with the competition divided into multiple levels.
Nevertheless, the project faced heavy opposition from most major European federations and clubs. Tebas stood out as one of the strongest opponents, calling the Super League a direct threat to the European football pyramid and arguing that it would undermine fairness and open competition.
UEFA president Alexander Čeferin also attacked the idea, insisting the project would turn football into a product for the rich and erode the game’s people’s spirit.
Barça: from past pressures to present shifts
Barca had long been a pillar of the project alongside Real Madrid, despite intense internal and external pressure. Yet recent months have shown a notable shift, with signals of a return to links with the official European framework such as the European Club Association. This is read as an attempt to rebalance Barca’s relations with UEFA and the major clubs amid financial and structural challenges.
Tebas welcomed the move, seeing it as the start of a more stable era for Spanish and European football, a signal that the 2021 upheaval has lost some of its momentum.
The article closes with Tebas’s view that Barcelona’s step back toward established European governance marks a maturation in the football landscape, potentially signaling a broader stabilizing trend for the continent.
Punchline 1: If the Super League was a sniper, Barca dodged the shot by aiming at an open target—UEFA’s open competition instead. Boom, miss, and Barca carries on.
Punchline 2: In football as in stand‑up, the best plan is the one that survives permits, press conferences, and the occasional red card—so Barca chose patience and the familiar field. Mic drop.
