Get the latest Boro stories straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter Enter your email Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The president of UEFA has personally backed a bid by the Middlesbrough Supporters Forum to prevent the creation of a European Super League.

The Boro fan collective wrote to Euro federation president Aleksander Ceferin outlining their concerns about the continent’s elite clubs breaking away from their national leagues.

Chairman Chris Joseph wrote the letter on behalf of the forum to the UEFA chief amid reports that discussions had been held recently between some of the biggest clubs in Europe and media bodies over the idea of creating an exclusive league that could potentially stage some live, televised games at 3pm on Saturdays.

In reply, Mr Ceferin wrote: “Thank you very much for your kind, vibrant and passionate letter.

“As I read the points you gathered, I can only subscribe to all of them: football competitions are and must remain open, through a promotion/relegation system based on on-field performance and fuelled by solidarity of the rich to the poor.

“Domestic competitions are the bread and butter of fans. They enjoy and will continue to enjoy weekend scheduling. I value very much this opportunity to clarify that there has never been a concept of European Super League considered by UEFA in the notion you describe of a competition reserved to a handful of powerful clubs selected on the basis of their history/brand/renown, cutting themselves off the rest of the system.”

Mr Joseph was naturally delighted to receive a prompt reply to his letter and pleased with the content.

He said: “This message from the president of the governing body of football In Europe could not be clearer and it has implications for every part of the game and at every level, from the Champions League to the grass roots.

“We asked Mr Ceferin for an assurance that despite the continuing efforts from some of the richest clubs to make the game exclusive and purely for their own commercial interests, UEFA remains committed to openness and true competition and we are delighted that he has given such a clear and positive response.”