Liverpool news: Kieran Maguire shreds FSG as ‘irresponsible and out of touch’ statement issued
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group lack “integrity” and the new Champions League reforms prove they are “only interested in money.”
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about fan opposition to the revised competition format.
Europe’s most opulent club competition will swell from 32 to 36 teams from the 2024-25 season, with the total number of matches set to nearly double.
The Football Supporters Association‘s Premier League arm labelled the plans “irresponsible and out of touch” in a statement on Tuesday (12 April).
Critics argue that supercharged Champions League TV revenue will further entrench the disparity between football’s financial elite and the chasing pack.
Maguire saluted fans for taking a stand against Uefa’s revamp and claimed that the likes of FSG are complicit.
“You’ve got to give credit to these fans,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“They are representative of supporters and articulate extremely well the interest of the fans as stakeholders in football.
“They are simply ignored by the likes of FSG. They see them as people to monetise and patronise.
“I don’t know anyone who asked for an extra four games in the Champions League under the Swiss model.
“One of the reasons there was so much anger at Super League is because fans like this still believe in sporting integrity.
“But integrity is one word you can’t associate with Liverpool’s owners. They are purely interested in making money.
“Provided they are honest about that, I have no issue with it. It’s when they hide behind the badge that is the real problem.”
Liverpool are through to the semi-finals of this year’s Champions League against Villareal after a 6-4 aggregate victory over Benfica.
Jurgen Klopp’s side also face Man City in the FA Cup semi-final tomorrow (16 April) at Wembley.
In other news, pundit suggests Liverpool “worried” about Virgil van Dijk after “weird” development.