The American has no interest in a European Super League, saying his only goal is to make the International Champions Cup as competitive as possible In the eyes of some, Charlie Stillitano is the man who wants to steal the Champions League. And he understands that characterisation. As the Chairman of Relevent Sports – which organises and promotes the International Champions Cup every pre-season in the United States and beyond – Stillitano is well aware of the perception that he is someone who sees only dollar signs when it comes to football.

For purists in Europe, Stillitano is the businessman who is taking the continent's top clubs beyond their borders and opening their eyes to the lucrative potential in the land of opportunity. By doing so, he is widely reckoned to be hastening the demise of competitions on this side of the Atlantic. Stillitano’s meeting with Premier League executives – from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United – in March 2016 provoked panic. The break-up of the Premier League and the Champions League was coming; a European Super League inevitable.