“European Super League not cancelled, only on standby”

Despite a ferocious backlash and widespread condemnation, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez says the so-called Super League isn't canceled, only on “standby.”

Speaking to Spanish radio station El Larguero on Wednesday night, the 74-year-old insisted the other clubs “haven't left” the project and they would continue working to make the breakaway competition viable.

The Super League all-but collapsed on Tuesday, just 48 hours after it was announced, following the withdrawal of the six Premier League clubs involved. Italian teams Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan followed suit, as did Atletico Madrid, with just Real Madrid and Barcelona still remaining.

“The project is on standby,” Perez said. “I'd say the body exists, but if half the group goes because they're tired after what they heard over the last 24 hours, I don't want to stick around. No, Juventus has not left. Why do [you] say they've left? Milan hasn't left either. Why do you [you] say that? These things you're saying, that people say.”

When asked if the 10 clubs that have announced their withdrawal from the Super League were still part of the project, Perez answered: “They are, we're all there together and Barcelona is thinking to see what we can do. For example, someone today said: 'Let's see if of the 20 [teams], it includes the top four from England, the top four from Italy, Spain. That could be a way to do it.

“Look, nobody has paid [a fine] yet because this all just happened and additionally pretty much all [of the clubs] remain. They're pretty much all still there [in the Super League]. Everyone. Right now, everyone. Right now, all 12. They haven't left yet.”