ARSENAL, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have CONFIRMED their plans to join the controversial European Super League.The tournament would be held throughout the season and would make the clubs even richer than they already are. We’re bringing you ALL of the twists and turns from this explosive story here.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below from this developing story…
HOW THE PROPOSED ESL WILL WORK
ICYMI
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has reportedly called an emergency meeting between all Premier League captains.
The Mail reports the England midfielder has taken the action as the fall-out from the breakaway Super League continues.
The 30-year-old will chair meeting with club reps from sides in and out of the breakaway.
Henderson previously helped lead players in their response to the crisis caused by the pandemic.
Credit: Reuters
MORE ON LEVY
Another club boss added: “Daniel can paint himself as a victim but nobody was buying that at all. It’s too late for that.”
Richard Masters and the Prem leadership, as well as the clubs outside the Big Six, were left bolstered by a firm vow from PM Boris Johnson that he will bring in urgent legislation that would prevent the Six from joining the £4.6billion scheme.
That meeting involved representatives of Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United supporters’ trusts and the Football Supporters Association, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, as well as Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
Johnson is understood to have made it abundantly clear to the meeting that he would simply not allow the breakaway to take place.
SUPER LEAGUE EXCLUSIVE
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is “shaken” by the Super league backlash.
In a stunning act of contrition he told Brighton chief executive Paul Barber to pass on details of a conversation they had before the 14 clubs left out of the breakaway met with League chief Richard Masters.
In a message that left the clubs increasingly confident they have the rebels on the run and will be able to kill off the proposals within days, the Spurs chief conceded he may have misjudged the mood of the nation.
Barber, who previously served on the board at White Hart Lane told the clubs Levy said this was “not what I wanted, or expected”
The Brighton exec added: “Daniel says this all grew from a feeling that Uefa simply doesn’t listen to us as a League. He believes the big clubs deserve more respect and more money.”
But while Levy’s message was viewed by the clubs as the first recognition of the scale of the mistake, it did not spare him and the rest of the Big Six from the wrath of the 14 left on the outside.
One club source revealed: “Paul was told to pass on a simple message back – that Daniel and the rest of them were destroying all of us by this act.
“We are all still seething at what has gone on. Every single one of us. There is no sympathy at all for Levy or anyone else involved. They’re the ones who put us in this position because of their greed.”
RAN A MILE
Claudio Ranieri – the man who pulled off the biggest shock in sporting history by taking Leicester to the Prem title – has slammed the Super League.
The Italian said: “It’s very sad for me. Super League is so bad, I hope Uefa will stop them.
“Leicester story was something special and we’d lose these stories.
“It’s not just about football, I remember the feeling between Indian and English people celebrating Leicester together.”
Credit: Getty
PRIME TIME
Amazon have confirmed they were not involved in Super League talks and believe the beauty of European football is the chance for any side to do well.
STILL NO FOR BAYERN
Bayern Munich have reiterated that they will NOT play in the Super League.
Per Fabrizio Romano, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Bayern will NOT play in Super League, absolutely.”
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge still on the same position: “Bayern will NOT play in #SuperLeague, absolutely”. 🚨 #Bayern— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 20, 2021
‘VIGOROUSLY REJECT PLANS’
The Premier League have released a statement announcing all 14 clubs ‘unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans’ for the European Super League.
A crisis meeting was held this morning with all top-flight clubs except the ‘big six’ who want to form a breakaway league. And the Prem reassured everything in their power will be done to prevent the plans from going ahead.
It adds how they will also hold shareholders to account for their role in the farce while hinting at bans.
The statement read: “The Premier League, alongside The FA, met with clubs today to discuss the immediate implications of the Super League proposal.
“The 14 clubs at the meeting unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans for the competition.
“The Premier League is considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing, as well as holding those Shareholders involved to account under its rules.
“The League will continue to work with key stakeholders including fan groups, Government, UEFA, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA to protect the best interests of the game and call on those clubs involved in the proposed competition to cease their involvement immediately.
“The Premier League would like to thank fans and all stakeholders for the support they have shown this week on this significant issue.The reaction proves just how much our open pyramid and football community means to people.”
GARY’S WORD
Gary Lineker confirmed he will NOT work on the Super League.
To be clear: if it actually happens, I will never work on this European Super League.— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) April 20, 2021
MARC MY WORDS
Marcus Rashford has tweeted a powerful image of the Old Trafford stands showing a banner with the Matt Busby quote: “Football is nothing without fans.”
The England man shared the photo in the wake of the hugely controversial Super League breakaway with Manchester United one of the ‘founders’.
JOR DROPPING
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has reportedly called an emergency meeting between all Premier League captains.
The Mail reports the England midfielder has taken the action as the fall-out from the breakaway Super League continues.
The 30-year-old will chair meeting with club reps from sides in and out of the breakaway.
Henderson previously helped lead players in their response to the crisis caused by the pandemic.
PSG PUBLICLY AGAINST SUPER LEAGUE
French giants Paris Saint-Germain have publicly declared their opposition to the Super League.
CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “Paris Saint-Germain holds the firm belief that football is a game for everyone. I have been consistent on this since the very beginning.
“As a football club, we are a family and a community; whose fabric is our fans – I believe we shouldn’t forget this.
“There is a clear need to advance the existing Uefa competition model, presented by Uefa yesterday and concluding 24 months’ of extensive and collaborative consultation across the whole European football landscape.
“We believe that any proposal without the support of Uefa – an organisation that has been working to progress the interests of European football for nearly 70 years – does not resolve the issues currently facing the football community, but is instead driven by self-interest.
“Paris Saint-Germain will continue to work with Uefa, the European Club Association and all stakeholders of the football family – based on the principles of good faith, dignity and respect for all.”
PEP TALK
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola slammed the anti-competitive nature of the Super League that his side has signed up for.
PEP 💬 It is not a sport if success is guaranteed or if it doesn’t matter when you lose. I have said many times I want a successful Premier League, not just one team at the top. I don’t know if the statement will change and four or five teams will be able to go up.— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 20, 2021
SHEAR CHEEK!
Alan Shearer wants the Prem to ban the Big Six immediately!
Alan Shearer calls on Premier League to ban six breakaway sides
NO SPAIN NO GAME
Sergio Aguero is closer to putting pen-to-paper at Barcelona after receiving a draft contract, according to reports.
The Argentine has been locked in talks with the Catalan side after announcing he is leaving Manchester City in the summer.
Aguero, 32, is eager to team up with Argetine compatriot Lionel Messi.
Chelsea and Manchester United were linked with City’s club-record striker but it appears they may have to look elsewhere.
According to Catalan publication Beteve, Aguero’s agents have their hands on a copy of the draft contract.
They add a deal is ‘imminent’ after his agents jetted to Barcelona to hold talks with club representatives.
Credit: PA
CHELSEA EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea stars were left in a state of shock and confusion after they were told the club was part of the Dirty Dozen splitting football in two.
Blues chairman Bruce Buck called a meeting of the players in an attempt to explain why they were signing up to the European Super League.
But SunSport understands the news did not go down well with the squad. Individuals are concerned about the damage it threatens to do to the game.
Those fears only grew when it became clear Uefa were threatening to throw them out of the Champions League.
Chelsea face Real Madrid in the semi-finals, with the first leg in Spain next Tuesday.
To make matters worse, players potentially face being banned from international football in the future.
Stars were left ‘gutted’ by the announcement, which came as they were putting the finishing touches on their preparations for tonight’s clash with Brighton – before which a planned protest of Chelsea supporters is expected outside Stamford Bridge.
UN-IQUE
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has spoken out against the Super League because it would spell the end of fairy tale victories and giant killings like the one his grandad enjoyed over 100 years ago.
Emery is now in charge at Villarreal and is set for a reunion against his old side in the Europa League semi-finals.
He said: “My grandad won the Copa del Rey with Real Union in 1920.
“I want to let these kind of feelings continue.”
Credit: EPA
FANS FIRST
Boris Johnson today held a crisis summit with football bosses over the European Super League and backed Prem bosses to kick out the ‘Big Six’ if they want to.
The PM vowed not to stand by “while a small handful of owners create a closed shop” and promised to back fans all the way.
PM vowed to do all he could to stop it from going ahead in a meeting with top footie bosses.
Downing Street said today the PM “expressed his solidarity with football fans and agreed they must always be at the heart of any decisions about the future of the game.”
They added: “He reiterated his unwavering support for the football authorities and confirmed they have the government’s full backing to take whatever action necessary to put a stop to these plans.
“All attendees agreed that action was necessary to protect the fairness and open competition we expect to see in football, and to uphold the fundamental principle that any club should have the chance to play and win against the biggest players in the game.
“The Prime Minister confirmed the government will not stand by while a small handful of owners create a closed shop.
“He was clear that no action is off the table and the government is exploring every possibility, including legislative options, to ensure these proposals are stopped.”
TIME TO CHANGE YOUR MIND
Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin today made a personal plea to the Prem Big Six to admit to their “mistake” and recant the decision to sign up to a breakaway Super League.
In a remarkable direct statement to Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, United and City, Ceferin’s address to the Uefa Congress in Montreux urged the six to reflect on the damage they were on the verge of dealing to English and world football and to the fans who “bleed themselves dry” for their clubs.
Ceferin, who branded the owners of the rebel 12 as turning their backs on the heritage and integrity of football, recognises Real Madrid and Juventus are now too far gone to come back into the fold.
But while Liverpool and United were the two English ringleaders, the Slovenian clearly feels an emotional appeal could yet bring a U-turn.
Ceferin said: “I would like to address the owners of some English clubs.
“Gentlemen, you have made a huge mistake. Some will say it is greed, others disdain, arrogance, flippancy or complete ignorance of England’s football culture. Actually, it doesn’t matter.
“What matters is that there is still time to change your mind. Everyone makes mistakes in life. English fans deserve to have you correct your mistake. They deserve respect.”
Credit: Reuters
NOT SO BRIGHT
Brighton have voiced their total opposition to the European Super League – claiming it would “destroy the dreams of clubs at every level of the domestic game”.
Albion released a statement ahead of today’s Premier League meeting involving the 14 sides who have not signed up to be part of the controversial breakaway division.
In it, the South-Coast outfit hit out at the “efforts to create a closed-shop for all but the largest clubs”, branding the actions of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham as hugely disrespectful to all other clubs.
The statement read: “Brighton & Hove Albion are totally opposed to plans for a breakaway European Super League as it would destroy the dreams of clubs at every level of the domestic game.
“These plans are the latest in an alarming and growing list of clandestine attempts from a small group of clubs whose actions would be wiping out close to 150 years of football’s tradition, competition, and sporting progress through merit.
“The ups and downs of football – promotion, relegation, winning titles and cups, challenging for, or missing out, on a European place – are all part and parcel of the drama, jeopardy, joy and heartbreak that makes our game the most watched and most loved in the world.
“These key attributes create significant value from which we feed a financial support structure which helps to sustain football at every level in our country and well beyond. By contrast, a European Super League would concentrate value for the benefit of a small number of clubs.
“The efforts to create a closed-shop for all but the largest clubs demonstrate a clear lack of respect for the contributions of all clubs within the domestic leagues in this country and across Europe.”
GOOD BAY!
Bayern Munich have come out against the Super League and also hinted they will drive down player salaries and agents fees.
Club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “FC Bayern has not been involved in the plans for creating a Super League. We are convinced that the current structure in football guarantees a reliable foundation.
“FC Bayern welcomes the reforms of the Champions League because we believe they are the right step to take for the development of European football.
“The modified group stage will contribute to an increase in excitement and the emotional experience in the competition.
“I do not believe the Super League will solve the financial problems of European clubs that have arisen as result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Rather, all clubs in Europe should work in solidarity to ensure that the cost structure, especially players’ salaries and agents’ fees, are brought in line with revenues, to make all of European football more rational.”
BECK OFF BILLIONAIRES
David Beckham has lashed out at European Super League plans and blasted: “Football is in danger.”
Former Manchester United star Becks took to Instagram to demand the game we love is protected.
Inter Miami owner David Beckham spoke out on the Super League
The 45-year-old wrote on his Instagram: “I’m someone who loves football.
“It has been my life for as long as I can remember. I loved it from when I was a young child as a fan, and I’m still a fan now.
“As a player and now as an owner I know that our sport is nothing without the fans. We need football to be for everyone. We need football to be fair and we need competitions based on merit.
“Unless we protect these values the game we love is in danger…”
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