José Castro spoke on a La Liga meeting on the Super League

JOSÉ CASTRO: 'EFFORT MUST BE REWARDED AND EVERYONE MUST HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS'

22/04/2021
Sevilla FC's President spoke during the press conference alongside other presidents of La Liga clubs and Javier Tebas on their complete rejection of the creation of a European Super League

This Thursday afternoon and 'on the mark of the recent announcement of the creation of a secessionist European league', as La Liga describe it in their press release, the president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, held a virtual meeting with presidents from other clubs regarding the situation. José Castro, Sevilla FC president, was on the call after recently being thanked on Tuesday by UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin for the Club's position on the Super League. The press conference took place after the 39 First and Second Division teams not invited to the Super League came together to sign a manifesto unanimously rejecting the plans to form this competition. All of the clubs believe firmly in sporting merit as the only criteria to qualify for continental competitions through their respective domestic leagues.

'Football is for everyone, especially for our fans who love it and help it be seen all over the globe. Everyone has the chance to improve and that's how it should remain. We cannot take apart rivalries or our fans' passion. At Sevilla FC, we pride ourselves in the passion of our fans and we are proud to carry our city's name throughout Europe, something we have excelled in in the 21st century. Our motto 'Never Surrender' does not fit with a closed competition only accesible through invitation. The Sevilla of today has won their prestige on the pitch thanks to the good sporting and economic management at the Club and that is how we believe things should continue,' José Castro said during the press conference.

'Sevilla FC were not invited to the Super League. We prefer to earn our reputation out on the pitch'

Sevilla FC's president categorically denied in the first question posed to him during the press conference that the Nervionenses had been invited to the Super League: 'Sevilla FC were not invited to the Super League. But here we prefer to earn our reputation out on the pitch.'

José Castro also added in one of his replies that 'every club has the right to achieve their sporting goals. We cannot have a select group of clubs through decree. Effort must be rewarded and all teams must have the same rights. It's a question of hard work, good decisions and management. It's possible in the current system. We have won many UEFA Europa Leagues and qualified for the Champions League many times: this is a result of our work and effort. You earn the right to these achievements out on the pitch.'