Q: For Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, the C1 final is the "most important match in world football".

What do you think ?

A: "I think it's the biggest single event in sport in the world (that is to say outside the Olympics and World Cups, editor's note). The only problem in Paris is that everyone wants to come, so we had to restrict tickets. Some celebrities had the idea of ​​getting 15 tickets, that kind of thing, we had to refuse."

The Champions League trophy, presented on May 27, 2022 in Paris, on the eve of the final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis FRANCK FIFE AFP

Q: After the organization withdrew to Saint Petersburg due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, how did you choose to reassign the final to Paris?

A: "There aren't many places with the right infrastructure, hotels, airports... It occurred to me that Paris might be a good choice, because the city didn't have not hosted the final for a long time (2006) and because it is symbolic that this event is organized in the capital of the country which currently chairs the Council of the European Union... We contacted the services of President Emmanuel Macron because we wanted to have the support of the government (...), and the support was immediate."

Q: Isn't it paradoxical to find Real Madrid and Liverpool in the final, two clubs involved in the ephemeral dissident Super League project in 2021?

A: "This non-project is forgotten. I had even forgotten that Liverpool was part of it, it was all so fast, in two days it was over (most of the dissident clubs gave up in 48 hours in the face of public outcry , Editor's note). As for Real Madrid, they deserve to be in the final. Believe me or not, I really don't have a preference on who will win the final. I think the best team has to win and that shows how clean our competition is."

Installation of logos on Real Madrid and Liverpool shirts on May 22, 2018 in Paris, four days before the Champions League final between the two teams in kyiv.

The teams will face each other again in the final, on May 28, 2022 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

Q: How to avoid four or five big clubs monopolizing the Champions League?

A: "That doesn't happen, apart from when Real Madrid won three years in a row (2016 to 2018). We had Villarreal this year, we always have small teams, at least in the semi-finals. But many national championships have the same winning clubs for decades (and qualify for the C1, editor's note). So it's difficult to point the finger at UEFA."

Q: Why have you reviewed the proven format of the Champions League, with a mini-championship to replace the group stage in 2024?

A: "It works very well, but why not make it even more interesting? (...) For me, nothing will change with this change of system. It would be easier to do nothing, to sit still and to enjoy the game. But I think it's a very good format and you'll see that in the future."

Q: Do you understand the criticisms aimed at Paris SG after the extension of Kylian Mbappé's contract, the president of the Spanish Liga Javier Tebas denouncing a distortion of competition and speaking of "insult to football"?

A: "I absolutely disagree (with him). There are too many insults in football anyway, and I think every League should mind their own business. For me, he doesn't It's not right for one league to criticize another. From what I know, Real's offer for Mbappé was similar to that of PSG. Afterwards, if it's viable (financially), we have committees to decide on that. (…) Things are changing! You can't say: 'I'm a traditional club, I have to win for life.' Things are changing and anyone who obeys the rules is welcome."

Kylian Mbappé and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during a press conference at the Parc des Princes on May 23, 2022 two days after the announcement of the extension of the contract of Parisian striker FRANCK FIFE AFP

Q: UEFA has banned Russia and Russian clubs from its competitions.

What scenario would push you to lift this ban?

A: "This exclusion has been pronounced until further notice. (...) We can only hope that this madness will stop as soon as possible and only then we can start thinking about doing something ."

Q: Some UEFA member countries, which are very critical on the issue of human rights, have called for a boycott of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18).

Are you planning to attend?

A: "I will go, of course, because European teams are playing. (...) I don't think a boycott is the right solution. A lot of things have been achieved, as far as I know. is more of a subject for Fifa, which I know mainly through the media. But for me, a boycott is never the right approach."

Workers work on the construction site of the Lusail stadium (Qatar), an 80,000-seat enclosure, on December 15, 2018, which will host the opening and closing matches of the 2022 Football World Cup Karim ABOU MERHI AFP / Archives

Interview by Andy SCOTT and Jean DECOTTE.

© 2022 AFP