UEFA president Ceferin slams Florentino Perez's proposal to form new competition

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has slammed reports that suggested Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez proposed a new competition solely for the sport's most elite clubs.

Perez is thought to have held discussions with FIFA president Gianni Infantino surrounding the ambitious proposals. His vision is believed to feature two separate leagues with 20 teams in each.

The 72-year-old is even believed to have given his backing for Los Blancos to quit La Liga and become part of the divisive new format.

But in a bullish statement, Ceferin hit back at the radical plans and accused Perez of being 'selfish'.

He said: 'I have read about this insane plan. If reports are to be believed, it comes from a single club President (not the owner) and a lone football administrator. It would be hard to think of a more selfish and egotistical scheme.

'It would clearly ruin football around the world; for the players, for the fans and for everyone connected with the game - all for the benefits of a tiny number of people.'

'Luckily, there is still too much common sense in the game for this kind of crazy notion to succeed. In fact, it is so far-fetched, I cannot actually believe anyone has dreamed it up.'

According to the New York Times, clubs from Europe's top five leagues could be involved - with giants from England, Spain, France, Italy and Germany at risk of abandoning their current domestic divisions.

The new system could even spell the end for the Champions League, with teams identified to take part in the new format told their revenues could double.

A promotion and relegation format system would also be in place, in a move designed to collect exorbitant amounts of income.

However, it still remains to be seen whether the proposal would be allowed, although Infantino is believed to be keen to go ahead with the new competition.

The plans, which have been drawn up to begin after 2024 if passed, are likely to be subjected to widespread criticism.

The governing body's president had recently alluded to a shake up to domestic football in a FIFA statement, which read: 'The statutory mission of FIFA is to develop football at a worldwide level. This involves formulating plans and competition concepts to bring on club football everywhere.

'We want the European clubs to further grow, because that is good for world football, but at the same time we want to see clubs from outside Europe to grow as well so that one day they can compete with the European clubs.'

Arsenal and Bayern Munich have strongly refuted their potential involvement in a breakaway league.