Gary Neville has said the six Premier League clubs who agreed to the new European Super League proposals should be ‘deducted points’ for supporting the ‘scandal’ plans.
On Sunday, it was reported that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City have signed up to the breakaway plan.
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The Premier League subsequently said it ‘condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit’ following the development.
The news emerged on the eve of a new-look 36-team Champions League being discussed by UEFA on Monday.
And speaking on commentary duty during Man United’s clash with Burnley at Old Trafford, Neville expressed his disgust that the Premier League’s traditional big six clubs had supported the proposals.
He said: “I’m not against the modernisation of football competitions, we have the Premier League, the Champions League, but I think to bring forward proposals in the midst of Covid and the economic crisis for all clubs is an absolute scandal.
“United and the rest of the ‘Big Six’ that have signed up to it against the rest of the Premier League should be ashamed of themselves.”
He added: “European Super League? Are Arsenal in that? They’ve just drawn with Fulham! Man United are drawing with Burnley!”
Former United captain Roy Keane, said on Sky Sports: “I think it comes down to money, greed.
“Obviously we’ve heard nothing from FIFA yet but it doesn’t sound good. Let’s hope it’s stopped in its tracks.
“We talk about the big clubs. Bayern Munich are one of the biggest clubs in the world – at least they’ve made a stand, which is a good start.”
Whilst ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards, also a pundit at United’s Premier League game against Burnley, added: “The Premier League has been run amazingly.
“We all know it’s a business but what happens to the fans, the memories fans have had over the years? Are they just forgotten about for the sake of money?
“I think it’s an absolute disgrace, to be honest.”
Former England striker Gary Lineker, meanwhile, wrote on social media: “Sense this Super League plot will die on its preposterous and avaricious a***.”
The threat of a European Super League has been looming for some time with reports as far back as October suggesting talks were happening with top clubs.
In January, the plans were first reported, citing a document which outlined a 20-team league, outside of UEFA’s control. It would be made up of 15 permanent members and five who would qualify for the competition annually.
The Times report that the 15 founder clubs would share a £3.1billion founder grant.
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Matches would be played midweek while clubs would still compete in their domestic leagues.
And in a solo statement, the Football Association said it was clear a European Super League would be “damaging to English and European football at all levels” and it would “take any legal and/or regulatory action necessary to protect the broader interests of the English game”.
Its statement read: “The FA has been made aware of certain English clubs planning to form a closed European Super League with other European clubs. It is clear that this would be damaging to English and European football at all levels and will attack the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are fundamental to competitive sport.
“For new competitions to be formed involving clubs from different associations, approval would be required from the relevant national associations, confederation and/or FIFA. We would not provide permission to any competition that would be damaging to English football, and will take any legal and/or regulatory action necessary to protect the broader interests of the game.
“We note FIFA confirmed earlier this year that they and the six confederations would not recognise any such competition and, as such, any player or club involved may not be permitted to participate in any official competition which falls within the auspices of FIFA or their respective confederation.
“The FA will continue to work with UEFA, FIFA and the Premier League to seek to ensure that nothing is approved that has the potential to damage English football. We will work with fans, the Premier League, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity and future prospects of English football in the best interests of the game.”
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