UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin insists the European Super League is dead and guarantees there will never be another winter World Cup.
And the Slovenian is adamant there will be no resurrection of the highly contentious breakaway format - with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus still pushing to offer an alternative ahead of the revamped Champions League which launches at the start of the 2024/25 season. The proposals threaten the likes of Celtic and Rangers and clubs outwith the top five leagues over their European future in the coming years.
Ceferin, in a wide-ranging interview, said: "The old proverb says that misfortune never comes alone. While the whole world was looking for a way out of the crisis caused by the pandemic, a handful of powerful people tried to take advantage of it and privatise elite football for their own selfish interests. They failed and always will. Because football is part of our culture and tradition - it belongs to everyone, to each of us. I am extremely proud of how the European football family has responded to both challenges. That synergy of UEFA, the Federation, leagues, clubs and fans is truly unique."
