Inter CEO Beppe Marotta: “Super League Plan Underestimated Fans But Football Could Collapse With Current System”
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has warned clubs are at risk of ‘defaulting’ under football’s current system after the failed attempt to create a European Super League.
The Nerazzurri were one of nine clubs to formally withdraw from the franchise between last night and this morning, following widespread condemnation from fans, players, politicians and rival clubs.
Speaking before Inter’s Serie A match away to Spezia, Marotta defended the idea behind the Super League and sent a harsh warning to those celebrating its demise.
“This initiative was brought forwards by the owners of the 12 clubs due to the difficult financial situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
“Labour costs have remained the same while revenue has become uncertain, leading the owners to conclude the current system was outdated and that a new solution was needed.
“Football’s system is at risk of collapse and I don’t just mean those 12 clubs, I mean the whole footballing world.
“No business could continue to sustain a wage bill which is equal to 60-70% of a football club’s annual turnover.
“The current model doesn’t guarantee us a future, so it was necessary to seek to go and seek something else to change things.”
Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham initiated the collapse of the Super League after they withdrew last night following intense pressure in the UK.
Asked why the project failed so quickly, Marotta said: “There were some aspects which were underestimated, such as the voice of the fans.
“It was also because the six Premier League clubs took a step back for their own reasons.
“If this project has failed then obviously there were mistakes made during the process.”
Marotta clarified that he had nothing to do with the Super League’s inception, explaining that these were decisions taken by club owners and not chief executives.
“This operation was conducted in secrecy by the owners of the clubs; we received information, but Inter’s management were never directly involved,” Marotta added.
“Myself and Alessandro Antonello concentrated on running the club on a day-to-day basis, it’s only right that roles are delegated in a club.”
Marotta assured that the Super League project was created ‘in good faith’ and then reiterated his concerns about the financial state of football.
“The owners are trying to do what’s best for their clubs because, in the current situation, football is at risk of default at every level,” he warned.
“If football’s institutions don’t intervene to create a stable and consistent model, we won’t manage to move forwards.
“Inter, AC Milan and Juventus have invested €1bn into Italy in player signings during the last seven years; now it’s impossible to sustain those expenses and it damages the promotion of youth talent in the provinces and hampers the level of competitiveness.
“They were trying to make the system more stable.”
Marotta also criticised Torino president Urbano Cairo after he accused Inter’s CEO of being a ‘traitor’ during a recent Lega Serie A meeting.
“Criticism is a democratic act, but I can’t understand Cairo’s violent attack,” Marotta insisted.
“I’ve received threats both in public and private as a result.
“You can’t offend people by calling them ‘judas’ and a traitor.”
Marotta was also asked if he would be resigning from the Italian Football Federation’s general assembly – to which he was only elected in February – after Inter’s attempted breakaway.
“I’m in that role to try and protect clubs by providing my experience,” he concluded.
“I’ll put down my mandate next week and if there isn’t confidence in me then I’ll step aside.”
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