Sports

UEFA: Saudi clubs won’t play in Champions League

European football governing body, UEFA, has dismissed reports that clubs from Saudi Arabia would be allowed to play in the Champions League in the future.

UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin, made this known on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

“Only European clubs can participate in the Champions League, the Europa League or the Conference league,” Ceferin said.

This is coming ahead of the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday.

In spite the strong financial growth of the Saudi league, which attracted the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Sadio Mane recently, Ceferin said he doesn’t see the country as a threat to European football.

READ ALSO: Bonmati, Carmona, Kerr shortlisted for UEFA women’s player of the year

He added: “We had a similar situation with China, which bought players at the end of their careers and offered them a lot of money.

“The result was that Chinese football didn’t develop after that.

“As far as I know, (Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian) Mbappe and (Manchester City striker Erling) Haaland are not dreaming about Saudi Arabia.”

Ceferin said the approach used by Saudi Arabia “is not the right way”, adding that the Saudi league “should work on the education of players and coaches, but that’s not my problem.”

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Ondo police arrest 4 officers in viral stop-and-search video, begin probe

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four officers captured in a viral social media…

2 hours ago

CUSTECH expels two students over same-sex conduct, rusticates four

The management of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, has expelled two students…

3 hours ago

LeBron James to join Philadelphia 76ers for 24th NBA season

LeBron James has announced his intention to join the Philadelphia 76ers for the final chapter…

4 hours ago

Supreme Court upholds Oyebanji’s APC nomination, dismisses appeal

The Supreme Court has affirmed the nomination of Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji as the…

5 hours ago

Court sentences man to death for murdering pregnant woman

A Kano State High Court has sentenced Shuaibu Abdulkadir to death by hanging after finding…

5 hours ago

Troops arrest 5 kidnappers, recover arms in Yobe raid

The troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with the Yobe State Hunters Group, have…

7 hours ago

This website uses cookies.