“I think that shows that the new format is a great success before it even starts, just because of TV rights sales,” said Al-Khelaifi, speaking via videoconference, in English.
What changes will the Champions League have?
The Champions League will undergo its most drastic re-foundation in 20 years in 2024, made official last May after the storm created by the Super League, a private competition project launched in 2021 by several clubs.
“Football must develop but in a way that respects all clubs: small, medium and large,” said the PSG president, who also chairs the European Club Association (ECA) and is vice president of UEFA.
TV rights to European club competitions were awarded for 15 billion euros ($14.88 billion) over three years (2024-2027), a jump due to the expansion of the Champions League to 36 teams.
The new formula that will come into force in 2024-2025 foresees, instead of the traditional group stage, an eight-day mini-championship including all the teams.
Asked about the financial model of clubs such as Paris SG or Manchester City, which are owned by funds from Qatar and the Emirates respectively, Al-Khelaifi replied that “football needs investment to develop” and warned against the “disastrous debt” of some clubs.
“Without mentioning names”, the president of the Paris SG criticized the clubs that supposedly belong to their members, but whose fans “do not control anything”, allowing their leaders to leave their posts at the end of their mandates, leaving important debts to their successors.