Plans for a European Super League have been ABANDONED with all six Premier League clubs involved pulling out.
In a victory for fans against greedy owners, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham all confirmed they would withdraw from the proposed breakaway competition on Tuesday night.
AFP
The Premier League’s ‘big six’ were part of a 12-strong group – also containing Spain’s Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid and Italy’s AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus – that announced plans on Sunday to form the breakaway league.
But the announcement of a rival competition to the Champions League – which would involve the same founding clubs competing each season regardless of league position – sparked a furious backlash from football fans.
Premier League clubs listened and have all now backed down, signalling an end to the Super League proposals just 48 hours after its formulation.
Man City were the first to announce their intention to quit the controversial project before their fellow ‘big six’ clubs followed suit.
“Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League,” a statement from the club read.
As it emerged Chelsea had also withdrawn from the proposals, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham all released statements around 11pm announcing they too were turning their back on the Super League.
Getty
Liverpool’s statement read: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued.
“In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.”
Manchester United said: “We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.
“We remain committed to working with others across the football community to come up with sustainable solutions to the long-term challenges facing the game.”
Arsenal said: “As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League.
“We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.”
AFP
Tottenham said they regretted their actions, with chairman Daniel Levy releasing a statement: “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal.
“We felt it was important that our club participated in the development of a possible new structure that sought to better ensure financial fair play and financial sustainability whilst delivering significantly increased support for the wider football pyramid.
“We believe that we should never stand still and that the sport should constantly review competitions and governance to ensure the game we all love continues to evolve and excite fans around the world.
“We should like to thank all those supporters who presented their considered opinions.”
The collapse of the Super League will be well received by fans across Europe, with so many letting their feelings on the matter known.
It began on Monday with angry protests before Leeds’ clash with Liverpool at Elland Road and a furious backlash from supporters up and down the country has continued.
Fans turned out in their thousands on Tuesday night to make their feelings clear before Chelsea’s match against Brighton.
AFP
James Milner was among the current players who said he hoped it wouldn’t come to fruition, while former footballers Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher were also forthright in their views on the league.
As Chelsea fans congratulated Arsenal supporters and other rivals put aside their differences to join forces for something good, it emerged that Ed Woodward sensationally quit his job at Man United.
“You couldn’t make it up. This is Hollywood movie. Blockbuster gone horribly wrong,” former Man City defender Danny Mills said reacting to the news on talkSPORT.
“What did these clubs think the reaction would be. They’ve tipped the toe in the water, it’s been bit off and scolded in the process.”
Neville was among the first to toast the demise of the ‘ESL’.
The Man United legend and popular pundit tweeted a picture of himself drinking a glass of wine with the caption: “To the Super League.”
Neville’s fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, was also in a jubilant mood.
He tweeted a picture of a headstone engraved with the inscription “European Super League, born April 18, 2021, died April 20, 2021.”
from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/3nd0gfq
via IFTTT
No Comment