PSG, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are three name who were notably absent from the formation of the proposed European Super League last night.
A breakaway cabal of 12 sides - six from England, and three each from Spain and Italy - have signaled their intention to form a rebel competition from UEFA, but have left the door open to three more teams, believed to be the French and German big-hitters.
On this morning's OTB AM, Eoin Sheahan was joined by New York Times sportswriter Tariq Panja, who explained the background and details of the breakaway competition.
And while it seems Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund's solidarity with UEFA is seemingly born out of principle, it seems the reluctance of PSG to join the rest of Europe's elite stems from some complicated political and business alliances.
"There are three spots that they've saved there, and it's clear they would like Paris Saint German, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund," he said.
"So far PSG have had the talks and said no, for varying different reasons they have decided to not sign up now. PSG for example are owned by Qatar, Qatar also owns beIN sport, beIN Sport is the biggest media partner of UEFA, has paid them billions of dollars over the years. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG President also sits on the UEFA Executive committee, so there are all those relationships.
"For the Germans, there is a sense they are so acutely sensitive to the activism that has been displayed quite well over the years by German football fans to things they don't like, most recently Qatar sponsorship that Bayern had.
"So, they don't want that to disrupt their season. Let's see where we are in the summer. Let's see if this thing goes well, whether these three teams will hold the line," he added.
PSG, Dortmund and Bayern Munich holding out on Super League
Borussia Dortmund have since confirmed publicly their intention to show solidarity with UEFA.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Chairman of Dortmund's board says his club and Bayern Munich will both be aligning themselves to UEFA's own proposed Champions League reforms.
"The members of the board of the European Club Association (ECA) got together for a virtual conference on Sunday evening and confirmed that the board decision of last Friday is still valid," said Watzke
"This decision means that the clubs want to implement the planned reform of the UEFA Champions League. It was the clear opinion of the members of the ECA board that the plans to found a Super League were rejected.
"Both German clubs that are represented on the ECA Board, FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, represented 100 percent congruent views in all discussions," he added.
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