Carlo Ancelotti has taken a fresh swipe at the proposed European Super League ahead of Everton’s game against Aston Villa.
The Blues strongly condemned the six Premier League clubs who agreed to join the failed competition at the end of last month.
Everton claimed in a statement that all six behaved with 'preposterous arrogance' and were 'tarnishing the reputation of our league and the game'.
Ancelotti claimed at the time of the announcement that all 12 clubs involved in the breakaway should have consulted players, managers and football fans first.
And now speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Villa tonight, Ancelotti believes the game is the perfect example of why competition is needed in football.
The three-time Champions League winner also believes football belongs to the people and that the clubs involved in the breakaway made a massive mistake.
“This match is a perfect example of why competition is the lifeblood of football,” the Everton boss wrote in his programme notes for tonight’s game.
“We are eighth but the possibility for Europe is there and the intention is to fight until the last day.
“Without this incentive, the game wouldn’t be so important and, in that situation, it is tough to have the same intensity and concentration.
“In the Premier League, every opponent is difficult, all the teams have different qualities and the ambition to win matches.
“If there is no chance to achieve something more than survival, the motivation would be low and the competitive element would suffer.
“This is why the 12 clubs wanting a European Super League made a bad mistake.
“It is unacceptable to have a competition with no sporting merit and this idea could only happen when there is no consultation with the managers and players and supporters.
“But the biggest aspect is the supporters. Football belongs to the people and without them, we would not be here.”
Everton fans can purchase a copy of tonight's match programme for the game against Aston Villa here.
