VOA慢速英语2021--欧洲足球超级联赛宣布暂停

Just days ago, it looked like some of the most famous soccer teams in Europe were forming their own league, called the Super League.

Just 48 hours later, the Super League idea fell apart.

Led by Florentino Perez, the head of Spain's Real Madrid, 12 teams, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus and A.C. Milan, said they would start a new European soccer competition for professional teams.

Two major governing bodies for soccer – FIFA and UEFA – threatened to ban those teams and their players from future games. The announcement led to anger from soccer fans. It also concerned officials in Great Britain, France and Italy.

Most of the British teams pulled out on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, teams from Spain and Italy also decided¹ not to join the league. Teams from France and Germany did not take part.

Some teams said they felt pressured to join the new league because they worried about being left behind. They said they did not want to upset their fans and did not think hard enough about the decision.

The teams said they started the league because they are having financial problems during the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. bank J.P. Morgan had offered the teams about $4 billion to start the new league.

Fans called the 12 teams in the Super League "the dirty dozen." They were upset that teams would not have to win games to play in the league's tournament. Their places would be guaranteed. In order to play in the Champions League, teams must do well the year before.

Leeds players wore shirts saying "earn it" before their game against Liverpool. And fans' protests² delayed the start of Chelsea's game.

Even players and managers on the breakaway teams seemed upset that they were not asked for their opinion ahead of time.

Luke Shaw, who plays for Manchester United, expressed his support for the current Champions League on Twitter. Jordan Henderson from Liverpool posted a similar message, saying he and other players on the team wanted to stay with the current system.

Aleksander Ceferin is the head of UEFA, the governing body of soccer in Europe. He had criticized³ the Super League plan on Monday. He said it was good that the teams reconsidered and admitted their error.

Ceferin added, "The important thing now is that we move on, rebuild the unity⁴ that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together."

Words in This Story

league –n. a group of sports teams that play against each other

tournament –n. a sports competition or series of contests that involves many players or teams and that usually continues for at least several days

dozen –n. a casual⁵ way to say the number 12

qualify⁶ –v. to have the right to do, have, or be a part of something

unity –n. the state of being in full agreement

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 protests   

n.[体]抗议；抗议，反对( protest的名词复数 )v.声明( protest的第三人称单数 )；坚决地表示；申辩

参考例句：

• The protests have forced the government to back-pedal on the new tax. 抗议活动已迫使政府撤销新的税目。
• Plans to build a new mall were deep-sixed after protests from local residents. 修建新室内购物中心的计划由于当地居民反对而搁浅。

3 criticized   

vt.批评(criticize的过去式)v.评论，批评( criticize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The decision was criticized by environmental groups. 这个决定受到了环保团体的批评。
• The movie has been criticized for apparently legitimizing violence. 这部电影因明显地美化暴力而受到了指责。

4 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

5 casual   

adj.漠不关心，冷漠的；随便的，非正式的；偶然的，碰巧的

参考例句：

• He earns a living by casual labour.他靠做临时工为生。
• The guests wore casual clothes.客人们穿着便服。

6 qualify   

vt.取得资格，有资格，限定，描述；vi.取得资格，有资格

参考例句：

• I won't qualify until next year.我明年才具备资格。
• You must qualify yourself for the post.你必须使自己具备担任这一工作的资格。