The association of European Professional Football Leagues rejected the idea of a European Super League and backed the "current system of merit-based competition through UEFA." The idea that a Super League could be formed in the near future "appeared to be gathering some momentum, with reports -- which were denied -- that top Premier League clubs had met to discuss the idea at a London hotel," and Barcelona Financial VP Susana Monje backing the idea. But with the EPFL "now firmly coming out" against any European Super League, which would "cherry pick the most financially lucrative clubs rather than qualification being based on domestic performance," the idea could be "dead in the water" (ESPN, 4/18).
FOOTBALL BRIEFS ...
David Beckham is leading an "all-star cast for a football legends match in Sydney." A deal for the former England captain to play in an exhibition match between former ManU and Juventus players is reportedly "close to being sealed." Beckham is set to play for ManU in the fixture in October or November and "could be joined" by Dwight Yorke, Phil Neville, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ryan Giggs and coached by Alex Ferguson. French int'l David Trezeguet will "almost certainly take part in the match as president of the Juventus' Legends program" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/17).
FIFA has started investigations into the participation of Beckham and former England Manager Fabio Capello in the All-Star football match in Kuwait in December last year, "considering the organization issued a directive prohibiting the match." Former FIFA presidential candidate Luis Figo played alongside Beckham in a team managed by Capello, as well as former Brazilian World Cup winner Roberto Carlos, former Arsenal players Jens Lehmann and Robert Pires, and former Chelsea striker Andrei Shevchenko, among others. The game pushed through on Dec. 18, after FIFA "suspended Kuwait’s membership from the global football family" (ARAB TIMES, 4/17).
