Amazon voices opposition to breakaway league

Amazon Prime Video says it “understands and shares” the feelings of football fans following the announcement of the breakaway European Super League (ESL).

The streaming service, that has rights to Champions League football in Germany and domestic rights the UK and Italy has made clear it had not held talks with the ESL.

“We believe part of the drama and beauty of European football comes from the ability of any club to achieve success through their performances on the pitch,” the parcels to entertainment company said in a statement released via Twitter.

As often a secondary rights holder, Amazon is arguably an outsider when compared to the likes of Sky and BT.

The Amazon statement came as Chelsea, one of six English clubs to announce their involvement in the 20-club ESL, asked lawyers to draw up papers to prepare for its withdrawal.

The ESL is effectively bidding to replace the Champions League with a competition that would involve a total of 20 clubs. However, the move is seen as having the potential to destabilise national leagues and the smaller clubs in the football pyramid in the UK and overseas. Broadband TV News