Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin dismisses Saudi Pro League as non-threatening and compares it to the league in China

Saudi Pro League Dismissed as Competitive Threat by UEFA President

The Saudi Pro League has recently emerged as a hub for attracting high-profile players with its lucrative contracts and substantial transfer fees. However, it seems that Aleksander Ceferin, the president of European football’s governing body Uefa, is not convinced of its potential.

Ceferin’s Perspective on the Matter

Comparing the situation to what happened in China’s Super League, Ceferin argues that this approach is not sustainable. He asserts that investing heavily in aging players at the end of their careers does not contribute to long-term growth and development in football.

“They bought players at the end of their careers by offering them a lot of money. Chinese football didn’t develop and didn’t qualify for the World Cup afterwards,” says Ceferin in an interview with L’Equipe.

Guardiola Acknowledges Financial Influence but Calls for Awareness

Even though Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola acknowledges that Saudi Arabia’s financial power has altered transfer dynamics within elite European clubs, he emphasizes the need for caution and awareness among these clubs regarding what is happening.

Premier League CEO Remains Unconcerned

In contrast to Ceferin’s concerns, Richard Masters, Chief Executive Officer of Premier League, expresses a more relaxed stance. He states that he is “not too concerned” about Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in football.

Signings and Ambitions

The Saudi Pro League has made noteworthy signings recently, including Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe. However, Ceferin questions the motives behind these transfers. He suggests that players at the height of their careers would not aspire to join Saudi clubs and believes that those who do move there often fade into obscurity.

Uefa Competitions Limited to European Clubs Only

In response to speculations about future participation or hosting rights for Saudi clubs in Uefa club competitions, Ceferin clarifies that only European clubs can participate in tournaments such as the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Non-European federations are not eligible to apply for hosting finals either.