Ajax, Feyenoord and Roma hit back at Barcelona president Joan Laporta over claims they want to join European Super League

All three clubs have publicly distanced themselves from the resurfacing controversial Super League project. Blaugrana chief Laporta listed 15 teams from various countries across Europe that he claimed are ready to join the competition, that could start as soon as next season. They were Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter, AC Milan, Napoli, Roma, Marseille, Sporting CP, Benfica and Porto, Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, Club Brugge and Anderlecht, plus "any team in La Liga except Atletico Madrid".

The Ajax Supporters Association contacted the club and relayed the following message: "Inquiries at the club reveal that Ajax never discussed this with Laporta, let alone agreed. Ajax is completely surprised by this unjustified claim."

Feyenoord's short statement read: "Feyenoord is very surprised by reports in international media that the club has agreed to participate in the so-called Super League. This is total nonsense."

Roma issued a slightly longer statement, which read: "As stated publicly a few hours after the European Court of Justice's decision on the Super League case, AS Roma reiterates that it does not support any project related to the so-called Super League. The club also states that it has never changed its position on the matter, nor has it entered into any discussions about taking a different path other than clubs working together through the ECA in strong partnership and collaboration with UEFA and FIFA."

The Super League project was given new life in December 2023 when the European Court of Justice ruled that it was unlawfully blocked first time around by UEFA and FIFA. There are still many hurdles for the organising firm, A22, to clear and it is far from guaranteed to get off the ground. But UEFA is legally obligated to give full and fair consideration to pitches regarding this or any other proposed new competition operating within its realm. Premier League clubs, Atletico Madrid, Inter and Juventus all withdrew from the original 2021 launch, while Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have never been involved.

Even with last year's court ruling, Premier League clubs will be automatically barred from joining unlicensed competitions - like the first Super League - under conditions to be set by English football's new independent regulator. The Premier League's Owners' Charter from 2022 also stops clubs from being involved in the creation of "new competition formats outside of the Premier League's rules". Both measures were adopted as a result of the events and uproar of 2021.

No matter the dedicated loyalty from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Super League will struggle to launch without backing from enough prospective member clubs. Given that some of those named by Laporta have swiftly denied any involvement and the concept remains widely criticised, just getting clubs to willingly sign up is the greatest challenge to its very existence.