Adam Millington (@AdamGMillington)
NEW: The PGMOL will oversee FAWSL and FAWC match officials from next season onwards.
Three-year investment programme agreed to 'enhance the support and development of officiating' in the women's game.
Refs will have the same facilities, training and support as EFL and PL. pic.twitter.com/69e5EpFTvd
April 20, 2021
“As a fan of a League 2 team,”says Stuart Henry, “it’s great to hear all the Big Six fans talk about the ‘community’, ‘soul’ and ‘pride’ a football team brings to their locality. I hope they will remember this when the new season kicks off and fans are allowed back in the stadium, all I would ask is that they go to one lower league game a season to support their local League 1, League 2 or National League side. Their anger at the greed and ruthlessness of the ESL has long been felt towards the Premier League by lower league fans.”
I agree with the sentiment, but disagree with the proposal. When dealing with things properly – see racism, for example - we don’t need warm feelings or token gestures, we need policy and legislation. So supporting clubs lower down the pyramid should be enshrined in the rules of the game, not something we hope for from supporters of other clubs – more money needs redistributing, and the only way to make that happen is to make it a condition of participation.
Speaking to talkSPORT, when asked if Everton would ever join the ESL, he said “Never, never”, going on to explain that “Every fact of it is against the very idea of British football. Football clubs are community assets, they belong to the fans and to the communities. This takes much of the romance of football away.
“It is something which makes the game a money game, it’s not football anymore.”
“Clubs get points deductions for poaching a manager or a player, or exceeding FFP, but this is the clubs attacking the heart of the Premier League and I think they should be disciplined. That is what I think they should do. They should’ve discussed [their plans] with the Premier League and reached a consensus. They should’ve discussed it with all of the chairmen , the Premier League, the FA, FIFA and Uefa.
“The Champions League is an amazing competition. It is the super league.”
“I think the Premier League needs to discipline these clubs. The Premier League has its constitution. They need to treat the powerful clubs as severely as the poor clubs. Football is about competition. When you watch West Bromwich Albion beating Chelsea, this is football. Every club can outperform another on a Saturday, it is 11 v 11. A club like Leeds can go down and come back and draw with Liverpool. This is football.”
Boris Johnson is due to hold a virtual meeting imminently with officials from the FA and the Premier League, as well as representatives from fans’ groups, to discuss the government response to the ESL. The prime minister has said he will examine “everything we can do” to stop the ESL, with possible measures including recourse to competition laws, and as-yet unspecified ways of withdrawing official support for teams involved, potentially connected to areas like work permits, travel or even policing.
We are promised a Downing Street summary of the meeting, due to start more or less now, once it is over.
“It will be fascinating to see in the future if UEFA will act with the quickness they have to the ESL when it comes to racism,” tweets Yousef Teclab. “Because what the last few days have shown is they have the ability – which begs the uncomfortable question why didn’t they with racism?”
Yes, absolutely. We touched on this below, looking at what Patrick Bamford said last night, and just as I’m moved and inspired by the unity of purpose in our love for the game, I’m moved and despondent that we love it more than we love anti-racism.
Laugh!
Wolves (@Wolves)
It's probably too late for a parade 🏆🥳 pic.twitter.com/qEc24zBb7l
April 20, 2021
“The difference with the planned ESL and US sports is that - in theory - US sports have built in mechanisms to prevent single team dominance,’ says Pete Smith. “Principally a salary cap and a draft system meaning you can’t splash megabucks on one player without reducing the pot for others, and the worst performing teams get the best young players. Not seeing evidence of this in the ESL closed shop.”
Yup, if you support a team for long enough, there’s a fair chance you’ll see them win the superbowl. I guess the idea in the ESL would be that there’ll be so much money sloshing about that all the teams in it will have great players of which there are enough to go round, and be capable of beating each other in a knockout tie.
Nadine Kessler (@NaddelKe)
A women’s European Super league? No, because solidarity matters. pic.twitter.com/bFypx3dyZj
April 20, 2021
Sky’s Kaveh Solhekol reports that among the six ESL clubs, there are differing opinions, with some unhappy with how this has been handled and saying “this isn’t what we signed up for”. They were expecting a controlled media policy, is “shocked and taken aback” at the lack of a media policy, and unhappy at players, managers, and some board members being kept in the dark. Clubs involved aren’t close to pulling the plan ... “not yet”.
“Preposterous arrogance” is an absolute jazzer of a phrase.
“On the topic of players participating in the ESL not playing international football,” emails Mike Rolfe, “there are numerous precedents from other sports to follow. National rugby union boards (e.g. Wales) maintain selection policies that prevent players playing abroad being selected for their national sides presumably to maintain the quality and integrity of their national club competitions. Similarly, the ICC initially banned players who took part in World Series Cricket from participating in international Tests and ODIs.
The biggest difference here is in those situations players we’e presented a choice beforehand and a lot of this will come down to the terms (and likely individual clauses and choice of words) in their contracts. In the event of a ban there would be some sympathy with the players but they are phenomenally well paid for what they do. The choice for them to earn in some cases 250k per week for an ESL club vs representing their country in an elite sport (whilst likely still earning 100k plus per week) is still a choice between two incredible opportunities. This is very different to the sort of sacrifices that exist in the amateur vs. professional splits in some sports or the relatively life changing sums of money Kerry Packer put on the table for cricketers who enjoyed international careers but meagre financial benefits.”
Yup. I don’t think World Series Cricket quite works as a comparator because employment law has changed so much since then, but the Wales situation is significant because it tells us that contemporary employment law, both in the UK and the EU, allows it.
Someone who’d like to remain anonymous says: “I think it’s worth considering how similar the European Super League will be to American professional sports. Leagues like the NFL are closed shops with essentially no change over time in who gets to participate. It obviously gives the owners huge monopoly powers. One noticeable thing is how frequently the owners have moved their teams to another city, like the Oakland Raiders moving to Las Vegas in 2020.”
Absolutely. If legislation prevents clubs from being domiciled in, say the UK, or if clubs are prevented from using the names of their cities, then moving their base to wherever works will absolutely be on the agenda. Similarly, why need matches be confined to home cities when others will pay more to stage them? The ESL is the big change, but if it passes I doubt it’ll be the only change.
“Just a thought,” says Colin Brookman, “but where does the ESL expect to get its referees from if it cuts ties with Uefa?”
I don’t know, but if they’re nothing to do with any authority other than themselves, they can do what they want. Ultimately, though, these kind of difficulties are ones the ESL clubs will be delighted to have because it means they’re away.
Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs with be interim assistant head coaches, Michel Vorm will be interim goalkeeping coach and Ledley King will be first team assistant.
Daniel Levy said: “We have great belief in this squad of talented players. We have a cup final and six Premier League games ahead of us and we shall now focus all our energies on achieving a strong finish to the season.”
Yeah, that’s all that’s going on.
“What has it come to when we’re looking to Fifa and Gianni Infantino to protect the moral and economic values of the sport?” wonders Keith Hennigan. “Also, while I think the statement from Everton’s Directors is laudable, I can’t read it without that niggling thought that if they, rather than say Spurs, has been considered ‘Big Six,’ they’d be doing exactly the same ... apologies to Everton fans and Directors for my cynicism!”
I don’t think we can convict Everton for something they’ve not done, but I understand the sentiment so I think it’s worth restating what is, in mine, the key point: no one here is pure, but some people are on one side and others are on another. Those who want to stop the ESL need to support those who want to do likewise, not pick at their previous misdeeds, because that’s the only way this might work.
Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10)
Today I wake up to crazy news! 😡 An insult to my belief: football is happiness, freedom, passion, fans and is for everyone. This project is disgusting, not fair and I’m disappointed to see clubs I represented involved. Fight against this! 💪🏻❤️⚽️ #StopTheSuperLeague
April 19, 2021
The president of the IOC Thomas Bach has also come out against the European Super League this morning, warning that: “In this polarising environment, narrow self-interest and egotism are gaining ground over solidarity, shared values and common rules.”
Bach stressed that he supported European Sports Model, where money went to the grassroots and success was based on merit. But speaking at the Uefa congress, Bach warned that such a model was under threat from the “purely profit-driven approach that ignores the intrinsic values and social mission of sport.”
“It is under threat because the social mission of sport organisations is losing ground to the purely profit-oriented goals of commercial sport providers and investors,” he added. “If everything is only looked at from a business perspective, if only the economic rules are applied to measure the impact of sport on society, then the social mission of sport is lost.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger)
If the #SuperLeague will be realized, it will destroy football with its national leagues as we know it and this is a very sad thought to me.
April 19, 2021
That’s much stronger than anything Infantino has said previously. He didn’t say anything about banning ESL players from international competition, though it can, at a push, be read into his half-in, half-out point. Either way, he understands the gravity of the situation, which makes you think that he’ll use all power and sanction available to him to make sure he wins. Whether or not that’s enough, who knows.
“At FIFA, we can only and strongly disapprove the creation of the super league, of a super league which is a closed shop, which is a breakaway from the current institutions. No doubt whatsoever of Fifa’s disapproval. Full support to Uefa.”
“It is my task and our task to protect the European sports model, club competitions, national teams. If they choose to go their own way, they must live with their choice. They are either in or out. They cannot be half-in and half-out.”
“My task, our task, is to save club football, international football.”
“I feel it is only right that, as CEO of your football club, I write to you directly following the plans made public over the weekend for a European Super League.
As a proud custodian of Everton, I, along with my fellow board members, understand the responsibility that has been entrusted upon us to maintain the traditions of your Club and of the wider game.
Everton Football Club was a founder member of the Football League and a founder member of the Premier League.
Throughout our history the Club has always strived to move both Everton and the game forward. But we have always done so within the parameters of the pyramid structure which maintains the principles of open competition and sporting merit.
Sadly, the plans that have been made public by 12 clubs from across Europe - and six in our own Premier League - do not maintain those principles.
At this time of national crisis - in the face of a global pandemic and in a defining period for football - clubs should be working together collaboratively with the thoughts of our game and its supporters uppermost in our minds.
Disenfranchising supporters across the game and undermining the very structure of the pyramid that underpins the game we love is, quite simply, wrong.
The response from voices across the game and beyond over the last 48 hours is understandable – and those voices should be listened to.
Rest assured, I, along with my fellow board members, will do everything possible to ensure our position on these proposals is made in the strongest possible terms - and the voice of Evertonians is heard, loud and clear.
It remains our hope that by working collaboratively, football will find the right answer for its future.”
Use of an upper case C for “Clubs” really does tell you all you need to know. But looking through this, what stands out beyond the greed is the fearfulness and the lack of understanding. Fooball isn’t about winning, it’s about family, friends, identity and love.
Dear Colleagues,
You will be aware of the announcement published late last night regarding Europe’s leading football Clubs coming together to establish a new mid-week competition, the European Super League, governed by its Founding Clubs.
It’s important as a member of our team that I share with you some of the context.
For quite some time now, Clubs, including our own, have held numerous longstanding concerns about not only the future of European football but also the way football is run by UEFA. The global pandemic has also accelerated the instability in the existing European football economic model.
We have therefore joined AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur as Founding Clubs of the Super League. It is anticipated that a further three Clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable.
The Super League will be the future of European football and if we want to continue our journey of being a sustainable Club with ambition to grow and continue winning trophies then we should absolutely be part of that process and have a seat at the table rather than outside that group.
The new annual tournament will provide significantly greater economic growth and support for European football via a long-term commitment to uncapped solidarity payments which will grow in line with league revenues. These solidarity payments are expected to be roughly three times what is currently achieved from UEFA competitions. One of the core commitments of the European Super League is to vastly increase financial support for the football pyramid.
After the start of the men’s competition, a corresponding women’s league will also be launched, helping to advance and develop the women’s game.
We know that this announcement has provoked strong feelings within the game and elsewhere but we believe this decision is in the best long-term interests of Liverpool Football Club.
Importantly, this is the beginning of the journey and we can now start an engagement process with you, supporters and key stakeholders to help shape this process in the right way.
There is still much more information to come in due course.
I will keep you updated as we progress on this journey and discuss further on our Town Hall tomorrow.
Thank you for your continued support.
“Not sure I agree with Shearer et al saying this has nothing to do with the players,” writes Alex Ecob. “Football is the players. They are in a hugely influential position to take a stand against this, and vote with their feet about which teams to represent. The possibility of an international ban coming into force may seem to be punishing the wrong people, but a concerted refusal from the players would throw any plans into absolute chaos.”
As per the below, I feel for the players but we are where we are. I also wonder if the ESL clubs are breaching the terms of their contracts with the players, assuming that this can be settled with an uplift in salary. If that’s so – and it’s big if, but not an unlikely one – then if they decide they’re doing well enough already, the clubs have a potentially insurmountable problem.
“A thought on players being banned from international appearances if their club plays in the ESL,” says Phil Gibson. “If a club decides to leave the Premier League and stop being FA-affiliated (or gets chucked out) then those players can’t be considered to be playing Association Football, since that falls solely in the remit of FIFA and its own affiliates. It’s why Rugby Union players don’t get picked for Rugby League international matches, it’s a different sport!
How about the ESL decides, once it controls its own game, that goals scored from a certain distance from the goalline count extra? Or making their own changes to the offside law?”
This is an interesting point, and relates to one we discussed earlier this morning: what if changes are made to the format of the game? If the ESL control the ESL, then they can do whatever they like. And will they have a compliance unit? What if particular results suit the financial imperatives of the cartel?
Gary Neville (@GNev2)
Joel Glazer won’t turn easily!
April 20, 2021
Jurgen Klopp and the senior players could turn FSG
Man City most likely to crack. This isn’t for them!
The other 3 will follow the lead of others
That is nails, well done the Ev.
Everton is saddened and disappointed to see proposals of a breakaway league pushed forward by six clubs.
Six clubs acting entirely in their own interests.
Six clubs tarnishing the reputation of our league and the game.
Six clubs choosing to disrespect every other club with whom they sit around the Premier League table.
Six clubs taking for granted and even betraying the majority of football supporters across our country and beyond.
At this time of national and international crisis - and a defining period for our game - clubs should be working together collaboratively with the ideals of our game and its supporters uppermost.
Instead, these clubs have been secretly conspiring to break away from a football pyramid that has served them so well.
And in that Pyramid Everton salutes EVERY club, be it Leicester City, Accrington Stanley, Gillingham, Lincoln City, Morecambe, Southend United, Notts County and the rest who have, with their very being, enriched the lives of their supporters throughout the game’s history. And vice versa.
The self-proclaimed Super Six appear intent on disenfranchising supporters across the game - including their own - by putting the very structure that underpins the game we love under threat.
The backlash is understandable and deserved – and has to be listened to.
This preposterous arrogance is not wanted anywhere in football outside of the clubs that have drafted this plan.
On behalf of everyone associated with Everton, we respectfully ask that the proposals are immediately withdrawn and that the private meetings and subversive practises that have brought our beautiful game to possibly its lowest ever position in terms of trust end now.
Finally we would ask the owners, chairmen, and Board members of the six clubs to remember the privileged position they hold – not only as custodians of their clubs but also custodians of the game. The responsibility they carry should be taken seriously.
We urge them all to consider what they wish their legacy to be.
Everton FC Board of Directors
“Lineker is starting down a bad road there,” emails Ruth Purdue. “That’s not a united front. That’s not a hard line we need to take. If these men want to go make money, they can, off they go. (The women is a different issue). They can’t then be called up for international duty which we all pay for and a lot of them already give to charity. They understand, by giving it to charity that they don’t want/need the wage for playing for England. Yes, it is a punishment. That’s the point.”
I feel for the players because who wants this, but if they decide to be a part of the ESL, that might come at a price.
LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA)
Tremendous post-match quotes from Marcelo Bielsa on the European Super League tonight. 💬 #LUFC pic.twitter.com/xNkKI8HlIN
April 19, 2021
Mike emails in to point out that “Spurs and Arsenal still owe the Bank of England (and thus the taxpayer), a combined £295m through the Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). One of the terms of this is that they ‘make a material UK contribution”.
Assuming you’re wondering if joining the ESL would constitute a breach of that, presumably the money they trouser could immediately pay that off, or their owners could pay it off, easily, in the knowledge that much more money was coming back to them. But it does highlight, once again, the absolute venality of it all.
Alan Shearer has been on BBC Breakfast talking about Jürgen Klopp and sneaking in a glorious Mike Atherton “last evening”.
“He was in a really difficult situation last evening, but he said as much as he could say. He made his feelings clear on the European Super League over a year ago, didn’t he, when he said he didn’t want it. He also said that again last night, he didn’t want it.
“He doesn’t want what his owners want and that is a really powerful voice ... and I’m sure that he will tell his owners what he thinks.
“Where are these owners? Why don’t they come out and face the media and tell us why they’ve done it, why they want a closed shop that no-one else can get into?”
Shearer was also asked about the prospect of players from the clubs involved being banned from playing for their national teams. He said: “That’s deeply unfair. Everyone will come out and look at the legalities - I’m sure that the Premier League will do that, I’m sure that Uefa and Fifa are doing that - and it’s just not fair on the players to be put under this pressure.
“They want to go out and play football, they don’t want to read about the threat of not being able to play for their national team in huge competitions, because that’s what you want to do as a young boy, you want to come up and you want to represent your country.
“For people to be talking about them being barred from doing that when it’s got nothing to do with the players whatsoever, it’s just not right.”
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