74-year-old Aurelio De Laurentiis seemingly throws support behind European Super League project as Napoli president derides 'elderly people' running football

On Thursday, the European Court of Justice declared that by penalising the dissident European Super League clubs, UEFA and FIFA had violated EU competition rules. The historic ruling was made in response to the regulatory bodies' threat of fines against clubs following 12 teams' effort in April 2021 to establish a breakaway Super League. Since the result on Thursday, clubs from all around Europe have distanced themselves from a redesigned Super League; nonetheless, De Laurentiis appears to have endorsed the decision.

Napoli, the defending Serie A champions, were not one of the teams in the 2021 breakaway, as De Laurentiis told the Italian publication Il Corriere dello Sport he was not sold on the idea. But the 74-year-old insisted that FIFA and UEFA are now run by "old people who have no vision," and he disclosed that he had discussed bringing about changes in European football with Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid.

"The Super League was a wrong move (in 2021), which however brought about this change. Now we need to do some serious thinking," De Laurentiis told Corriere dello Sport. "I spoke with Florentino Perez and we agree to put some real entrepreneurs around the table, not just nominal presidents. Because today football is administered by elderly people, but above all they are without vision."

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti also chimed in on the matter, speaking as the coach of one of the two clubs that did not leave the Super League. He told reporters on Friday: “This decision is important for football. Some clubs are not convinced but I think this can be a positive thing for everyone. The fact that there is no monopoly will be positive. Time will tell if this is a good thing."

The Spanish powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid will likely continue to back the league in their efforts to attract further influential backing and, with Napoli folded into the mix, could start a chain reaction of clubs joining the party - especially considering that some reportedly secretly back the project.