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For the first time since reports of a new competitition surfaced two weeks ago, UEFA admitted it was working on its own plans for a new competition - and would make them public shortly.
The clubs also admitted their involvement for the first time, but although UEFA and the clubs have not been talking to each other, the implication from all parties was that they could well work together to develop the new league within the existing European framework.
UEFA's statement came on the day two former European champions, Manchester United and Ajax and current English champions Arsenal admitted publicly for the first time they were involved in talks to set up a new European-wide competition.
UEFA spokesman Frits Ahlstrom told Reuters on Wednesday: "The fact Manchester United made this announcement today is not news to us. We have known all about United's involvement for some time.
"But we have also been working on our own plans for a new competition. We have a clear idea of how the competition should be organised and I think they will be met very positively.
"Gerhard Aigner, UEFA's general secretary probably has more experience than anyone else in Europe on how to run a competition and I think his plans are very exciting.
"The difference between UEFA and other groups who want to start a Super League is that we have be far more democratic. We have to talk to everyone and our politicians have to discuss all the options and this takes time.
"Sometimes changes do not happen as fast as we would like, but I think that our plans could be made public at the next UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Lisbon on October 6.
"The keyword for us is the supporter. That is absolutely crucial for UEFA. There is no point in having matches played in empty stadiums, even for television and we have to make it right for the supporter."
Ahlstrom did not expand on UEFA's plans, but they were expected to include provision for relegation from any Super League - with conditions attached. Relegation might not be automatic when a club finished bottom, but might be invoked if a club finished bottom for two successive seasons, for example.
UEFA's response came after Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer and Borussia Dortmund general manager Michael Meier said on German TV channel ARD that UEFA had plans for a Super League and the time had come for UEFA to make those plans public.
Beckenbauer hinted on ARD that the investors behind the breakaway venture could well work with UEFA in the future.
Earlier on Wednesday Manchester United confirmed in a statement issued through the London Stock Exchange that they were involved in talks concerning the Super League which would bring together perhaps the top 16 clubs in Europe.
Ajax also admitted earlier that they had also been involved in talks. Both Manchester United and Ajax also confirmed they were committed to remaining in their domestic leagues, meaning that all Super League matches would have to take place in midweek. Arsenal's statement mirrored those of United and Ajax.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said, however, he did not believe a new league would happen for a number of years.
"Talk of the Super League is all hypothetical," he said. "People have talking about such things for 50 years but it doesn't mean it'll happen.
"Maybe it is being suggested by people who feel they are not getting enough of the TV money.
"I feel it is a long way away and I don't look upon it as something that is going to happen at the moment."
Recent reports have described cloak-and-dagger meetings at the offices of a leading London law firm between top clubs and Milan-based company Media Partners, which has drawn up the blueprint for the league. Britain's Sunday Telegraph reported last weekend that U.S. investment bank JP Morgan had underwritten the venture which could kick off in 2000.
The appeal of the European league to the continent's most glamorous clubs is obvious, assuring them of lucrative matches week in week out at a time when players' wages are going through the roof.
Some reports suggest clubs could earn as much as 20 million pounds ($32.90 million) per season from the league, double what a club would reap from a successful run in the existing European Cup competition.
Spamish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, Italian champions Juventus plus Inter Milan and city rivals AC Milan are all expected to make their involvement public sooner rather than later.
The league would be certain to attract the interest of leading European broadcast companies seeking high quality content to fill hundreds of new digital channels.
Reuters