Balls to the Super League

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      Is European Super League cancelled? Will Big Prem 6 be punished for involvement in controversial new competition?

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      THE European Super League was dealt an almighty blow on Tuesday night after all six Premier League clubs withdrew their interest.More clubs are now set to follow – but is this the end of the controversial breakaway competition?
      Has the European Super League been cancelled and will the PL Big Six now be punished?Credit: PA
      HAS THE EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE BEEN CANCELLED?
      Essentially, yes.
      On Wednesday morning, European Super League chiefs released a statement saying they would ‘reshape’ the competition and move on.
      Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli – one of two key ringleaders along with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez – also claimed they were ‘moving forward’.
      But just hours later, Agnelli performed an astonishing U-turn, admitting the tournament could not go ahead with clubs dropping like flies.
      Asked if the ESL could go ahead, Agnelli admitted defeat, saying: “To be frank and honest, no. Evidently that is not the case.”
      Ringleader Andrea Agnelli has all-but admitted defeat after PL clubs withdrew from the ESLCredit: AFP
      Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham have already officially pulled out.
      Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid followed suit on Wednesday morning.
      Reports in Europe claim AC Milan and Barcelona are set to join them.
      That would leave just TWO of the original 12 clubs – Juventus and Real Madrid as ‘founding members’.
      For the European Super League to go on, they would need to find 13 other clubs to join the inner circle – and another five who would take part in the inaugural season.
      Following an incredible fan backlash, it’s unlikely any clubs would be willing to sell their souls by signing up now.
      As Agnelli admitted… it’s over.
      We’re now just awaiting official confirmation.
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      WILL PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS BE PUNISHED?
      It seems likely, yes.
      Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Tottenham were major players in the formation of the European Super League.
      In fact, Premier League clubs accounted for HALF of the ‘dirty dozen’ European clubs.
      They had ample chance to say no – after all, Borussia Dortmund rejected the invitation.
      The six Premier League teams will now surely face a punishment – but it won’t be half as extreme as many disgruntled football fans would like.
      The clubs all face a hefty fine.
      However, they are incredibly unlikely to be hit with a points deduction and are even less likely to be kicked out of the Premier League.
      Ironically, having moved to form their own breakaway league in a bid to make more money, the six teams now look set to be be hit in the pocket and head back to reality with their tails between their legs.

      WHO’S LEFT IN THE COMPETITION?
      Officially at least, the Premier League clubs, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have all pulled out.
      That leaves Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus.
      However, numerous reports in Europe have suggested Barca and Milan are set to walk away.
      That would leave just Real Madrid and Juventus.
      And with Juve chairman Agnelli admitting defeat… it seems the European Super League nightmare is over.

      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher slam Man Utd and Liverpool owners over European Super League fallout More

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      Even Florentino Perez’s Real Madrid stars hit out at European Super League as they ‘like’ David Beckham’s damning post

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      THE WALLS continued to close in on Florentino Perez’s European Super League dream as his own stars began to show their discontent.Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez, Marcelo and Alvaro Odriozola all ‘liked’ David Beckham’s critique of the plot, as spotted by Marca.
      Florentino Perez’s European Super League is in tattersCredit: AFP
      A post by David Beckham has been ‘liked’ by a number of Real Madrid stars
      The England legend decried the game being ‘in danger’ as the ESL proposals emerged – before spectacularly collapsing under the weight of fan criticism.
      Los Blancos club president Perez, recently re-elected to 2025, spearheaded the operation financed by US bank JP Morgan.
      The 74-year-old cited the supposedly declining interest of young people in football as one key reason behind the ESL.
      But there was a sense of irony as the man who shot to fame through his Galactico transfers was called out by two of his most iconic signings.
      Beckham wrote on 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.
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      “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…”
      The statement came after Luis Figo, who controversially traded Barcelona for Madrid upon Perez’s first election win in 2000, slammed the ESL.
      He stated: “This so called ‘Super League’ is anything but ‘Super’.
      “This greedy and callous move would spell disaster for our grassroots, for women’s football, and the wider football community only to serve self-interested owners, who stopped caring about their fans long ago, and complete disregard for sporting merit. Tragic.”
      Inter Miami owner Beckham, 45, also played for ESL pair AC Milan and Manchester United, with the Red Devils already jumping ship.

      Reuters have quoted ESL vice-chairman and Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli as admitting the proposals cannot continue after the six Premier League clubs withdrew.
      Real president Perez failed to make a planned appearance on Spanish TV show El Larguero on Tuesday night as the plot crumbled.
      And he is facing a continued backlash across LaLiga with Villarreal president Fernando Roig declaring on Wednesday: “He is selfish, selfish and also… selfish. He only thinks of Real Madrid.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Man Utd icon Gary Neville hopes Big Six are fined £100m EACH by Real Madrid and ‘eat themselves’ as fans want punishment

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      GARY NEVILLE hopes the six rebel Premier League clubs are fined £100million each by Real Madrid and they end up ‘eating themselves’ in the messy fallout from the European Super League.And fans are also calling on the so-called ‘Big Six’ to be hit with a punishment within the English game.

      Gary Neville launched another scathing attack on the ‘Big Six’ and wants to see them sufferCredit: Sky Sports
      Neville was one of the strongest voices condemning Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and the two Manchester clubs for signing up to the 20-team breakaway franchise league.
      Fans, players, managers and pundits together made their fury known and all six made a sheepish U-turn on Tuesday night to withdraw from the ESL – less than 48 hours after their public statements signalling their intentions.
      But Neville still wants to see the Premier League sides made to pay for their initial plans which would likely have decimated the rest of English football.
      The former United and England right-back told Sky Sports: “Florentino Perez might have them on a £100m fine and I hope he does.
      “I hope Perez has got them on a massive fine to withdraw the lot of them and they basically end up eating each other.”
      Speaking after only City had officially confirmed their exit intentions, he added: “Quite incredible.
      “Large concern yesterday morning was waking up thinking that, for me particularly as a United fan, that Joel Glazer had put his name on a statement which you think what he went through in the takeover of Manchester United, they withstood a barrage of abuse and they went through it and you thought, ‘It’s going to be difficult for them to back down.’
      “They haven’t backed down yet but the fact that City have enacted the withdrawal procedure and it looks like Chelsea are on the way, it’s done. It’s finished.
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      “I hope that Perez has got them on a massive fine, the lot of them.”@GNev2 joins us at full-time following the news that some clubs are set to withdraw from the Super League.Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League now! pic.twitter.com/oG3KgdmU3X— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 20, 2021

      “They will have their PR teams scrambling around to make this as lovely as possible in the next 24 hours, working out what the right time is to sort of, withdraw from it.”
      Arsenal, Tottenham, United and Liverpool confirmed at 10.55pm last night they were backing out while Chelsea followed at 12.51am leaving the franchised closed shop in tatters.
      Earlier in the bombshell evening, Ed Woodward resigned as executive vice-chairman at Old Trafford and will leave his post at the end of 2021.
      Neville continued: “We obviously don’t know why the timing is now.
      “The leeches could’ve thrown him under the bus or it could’ve been the sensible thing has happened.
      “Ed Woodward knew it would get hot in the kitchen and he had to get out of there.
      “Every single executive who sits at the Premier League table, on these Uefa and Fifa committees, they need throwing out of that club. There is no way they can be trusted.
      “Ed Woodward knew his time in football was finished. Ed Woodward is the trunk of the tree, we now need to go for the roots.”

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      Should the players be punished? Should the managers be punished? They shouldn’t be. It’s the owners.Jamie Carragher
      SunSport readers are now calling on the football authorities to throw the book at the six rebels and make them suffer.
      Our poll saw 59 per cent of 6,000 voters call for clubs to be punished, a third believing they should be exempted from any sanctions and eight per cent unsure.
      While the managers and players were not involved in the European Super League plans, many are calling for points deductions or even expulsion from the top flight.
      Others, meanwhile, want to see long-term changes implemented to prevent anything like this being attempted again, such as fan-majority ownership like in Germany or the owners somehow forced out.
      Jamie Carragher said: “The most important thing for me is getting everybody together. These are huge institutions in our game.

      “This is not Liverpool, Manchester United, Man City, Chelsea, Spurs or Arsenal. This is the owners. It’s not the clubs.
      “Should the players be punished? Should the managers be punished? They shouldn’t be. It’s the owners.
      “Ed Woodward has moved on and I think there will be more. I think we will look back at this and realise the magnitude of what we have all done.
      “We have all proved in this country, the media, the supporters and the players have been more on the front foot and that is something everybody should be proud of in taking this European Super League down.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      All SIX Premier league ‘giants’ pull out of European Super League as Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs finally quit More

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      European Super League OVER as ringleader Agnelli admits hated breakaway competition cannot go on after Big Six withdraw

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      THE European Super League is OVER, according to ringleader Andrea Agnelli.The proposed breakaway tournament was left in tatters on Tuesday night after ALL six Premier League clubs withdrew following fan backlash.
      Juventus chairman Agnelli admits the European Super League can’t go ahead with clubs dropping outCredit: AFP
      A statement released by the European Super League claimed the tournament will ‘reshape’ and go ahead
      Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid followed suit on Wednesday morning, with AC Milan doing so in the early afternoon.
      Barcelona are set to join them it’s claimed, leaving just TWO of the original 12 clubs – Juventus and Real Madrid.
      And on Wednesday morning, Juventus chairman Agnelli – who, along with Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez, was seen as a ringleader for the project – admitted there was no way the tournament could still go ahead.
      Asked if the ESL would happen, Agnelli admitted defeat, saying: “To be frank and honest, no. Evidently that is not the case.”
      His words came just 12 hours after he claimed the European Super League was ‘moving forward’ despite Premier League clubs withdrawing.
      Shortly before an emergency meeting on Tuesday night, Agnelli told La Repubblica: “There is a blood pact binding our clubs together.
      “The Super League project has a 100 per cent likelihood of success.
      “We are moving forward.” 
      Eaerlier on Wednesday morning, European Super League chiefs claimed the competition would still go ahead despite the setback in a statement.
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      It read: “The European Super League is convinced the current status quo of European football needs to change.
      “We are proposing a new European competition because the existing system does not work.
      “Our proposal is aimed at allowing the sport to evolve while generating resources and stability for the full football pyramid.
      “[This includes] helping to overcome the financial difficulties experienced by the entire football community as a result of the pandemic.
      “It would also provide materially enhanced solidarity payments to all football stakeholders.”
      Released after the Premier League clubs’ withdrawal, the statement continued by slamming fan pressure and admitting the European Super League would now need to be ‘reshaped’.
      It read: “Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to pressure put on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations.
      “[That] was demonstrated by a court decision to protect the Super League from third-party actions.
      “Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.”

      Following the news of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham’s withdrawal, more clubs began to drop out.
      Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan both called time on the project within minutes of each other on Wednesday morning before AC Milan following around lunch-time.
      Barcelona are set to follow, according to numerous reports in Europe.
      That would leave just Real Madrid and Juventus as ‘founding members’.
      However, even Juventus admitted there were ‘reduced possibilities’ for the tournament now.
      And given Agnelli’s pessimistic stance on the European Super League’s future, it appears the breakaway league has been scrapped.
      As yet, there has been no official announcement from tournament bosses.

      But the English Football League ‘welcomed’ the decision in a statement.
      A statement read: “The EFL is heartened by the response.
      “We remain proud to be part of a unified footballing system that promotes open competition, gives everybody a chance to dream and continues to inspire generations of young people in the communities from where our Clubs take their name.
      “The message is clear that the pyramid must be protected above all.
      “The European Super League failed in part due to a model of distorted and unfair financial distributions, a criticism that can also be levelled at the current financial model in our own domestic game.”

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher slam Man Utd and Liverpool owners over European Super League fallout More

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      Watch moment shocked Thomas Tuchel finds out Chelsea have withdrawn from European Super League live on Sky Sports

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      THOMAS TUCHEL was left shocked after being told Chelsea had pulled out of the European Super League live on Sky Sports.The proposed tournament was devastated on Tuesday night after ALL six Premier League clubs withdrew following an epic fan backlash.
      🗣”I am not aware of any of the politics, I trust the club that they take decisions into consideration that we embrace competitive sport.” Thomas Tuchel reacts to Chelsea pulling out of the ‘European Super League’ pic.twitter.com/NTM9MAjrgY— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 20, 2021

      Thomas Tuchel was left shocked after learning of Chelsea’s ESL withdrawal before the 0-0 draw with Brighton
      Chelsea were the first club to officially pull out of the European Super LeagueCredit: AP
      Chelsea were the first English club to announce the decision, with Manchester City following suit before the remaining four later joined them.
      But as the drama unfolded, Chelsea’s squad were left in the dark as they were stranded on the team bus ahead of their game at Brighton.
      Shortly before kick-off in the 0-0 draw, Blues chief Tuchel was asked for his thoughts on the club pulling out.
      Clearly surprised by the news, Tuchel – live on Sky Sports – said: “Nothing… I spent the last 45 minutes on the bus.
      “No, I don’t know anything about that.”
      Tuchel went on to give a passionate backing to the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
      The German boss continued: “What I know, and this is my personal opinion, is that I am at a super-competitive club.
      “That’s why I’m here and that’s why I was so excited to join this club.

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      “I trust the club to know it’s all about competition.
      “This is what I feel – and the dressing room. This is what I feel at Cobham.
      “This is what everybody feels when they watch the team play.”
      Tuchel explained: “We were fighting so so hard to go to the Champions League semi-final.
      “We were giving everything in the FA Cup – the oldest, most traditional cup.
      “We were giving everything – we left our heart and soul on the pitch to make it to the final.
      “So we are competitive.
      “I’m not aware of any of the politics – I was not aware, I’m still not aware.
      “I don’t know enough. I trust the club to take decisions [knowing] that we embrace competitive sport.”

      Meanwhile, the European Super League have released a statement claiming the tournament will still go ahead despite clubs dropping like flies.
      As well as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, reports claim AC Milan and Inter Milan have also withdrawn their interest.
      Other reports have suggested Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are considering their stance.
      That would leave just Juventus and Real Madrid as the only two founder members after TEN quit.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      All SIX Premier league ‘giants’ pull out of European Super League as Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs finally quit More

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      European Super League: Dramatic rise and fall of breakaway plot in three days of chaos as Man Utd, Liverpool and Co quit

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      IT STARTED with the madness of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, claiming the Super League was the only solution to “save football”.Then it was Fifa president Gianni Infantino, firing his warning shot to the rebel 12.

      By mid-morning, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was personally promising to bring the plot crashing down.
      Then we heard Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin urging the Premier League’s “dirty half dozen” to own up to their “mistake” and apologise to the fans who “bleed themselves dry” for their football clubs.
      And that was just the start of football’s longest day, a battle for the soul of the game that ended with the bodies of the victims strewn over the Prem’s boardroom tables.
      With Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy savaged by the left-behind gang, metaphorical blood weeping from the wounds inflicted by the Angry Brigade, who were not soothed by his messages of contrition.
      With Manchester City and Chelsea both insisting they were the first to realise the £4.6billion house of cards was doomed and jumping out of the first floor window.
      And finally with Ed Woodward, the public face of the Manchester United board, falling on his sword to end 16 tempestuous years as Old Trafford’s business brain.
      After the PM had promised the FA and Prem he would not let the rebels win, the 14 clubs heard from Brighton’s Paul Barber of his conversation with Levy.
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      Petr Cech pleaded with Chelsea fans in protests outside Stamford Bridge on MondayCredit: Rex
      Fans protested against the European Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      But the protests turned into celebration as the wheels came off the Super LeagueCredit: Rex
      Barber reported: “Daniel is shaken by what has happened. This is not what he wanted, or expected, at all.
      “Daniel says this all grew from a feeling that Uefa simply doesn’t listen to us as a league. The big clubs deserve more respect and more money.”
      Not that it did Levy much good. 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.

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      “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 are the ones who put us in this position because of their greed.”
      This is a victory for the good guys.
      For the fans who said enough was enough. The players, managers and pundits who voiced their utter disapproval.
      The clubs who backed away from the whole shooting match.
      Even the FA, Prem and Government who, for once, stood firm and resisted, rather than caving under the first breath of pressure.
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      And let there be no doubt, this was a victory.
      One won inch by inch, thrust by thrust, before the Super League was finally revealed to be football’s version of the Wizard of Oz — all about illusions of power and might but with absolutely zero substance. Yet this was, truly, a momentous day for the game, too, one which proved that many of those who claim to be clad in ermine are actually morally naked.
      On Sunday, when the 12 mutineers, including the Prem’s ‘Big Six’, finally broke cover to confirm their elite, closed-shop cartel, it seemed to be the beginning of the end for the established order.
      Yet within 48 hours, it was over, leaving just the victims. Some have just lost their reputations.
      Others their pride. A few — with more to come — their jobs. But none of them have escaped uninjured.
      And while City and Chelsea did the right thing first, the fans who laid siege outside Stamford Bridge and condemned the Etihad hierarchy they have so often rightly praised, will long remember.
      Maybe we should have known it was going to be chaos when reports of Perez’s bizarre interview on Spanish TV emerged.
      Not only did he claim that the Super League was, effectively, football’s last hope but also suggested 90 minutes was too long for matches anyway.
      Super League plotters believed Infantino might secretly be an ally.
      Instead, he plunged in the knife, telling the Uefa Congress: “If some elect to go their own way, then they must live with the consequences of their choice.”
      Ceferin, the calm, rational Slovenian lawyer, opted for emotion, talking of his email from a heartbroken Tottenham fan, Trevor, devastated at his club’s betrayal of their ideals.
      Directly addressing the Prem ‘Big Six’, Ceferin said: “Some will say it is greed, others disdain, arrogance, flippancy or complete ignorance of England’s football culture.
      “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that there is still time to change your mind.

      “England, this incredible nation with such strong and unique links to football, deserves to have you correct your mistake. It deserves respect.
      “Come to your senses, out of respect for those who bleed themselves dry so that they can go to the stadium to support their team and want the dream to be kept alive.”
      It was just the start. With fans protesting outside the Bridge, Chelsea’s wobbles had already turned into a full-scale U-turn.
      Similarly at City, who were shocked at the global reaction. Both realised the game was up and moved to tender their resignation. Woodward too decided he’d had enough at United.
      Gone. Neither forgotten nor forgiven. Just like the whole Super League.
      Or, as Ceferin had said, “the so-called Super League, because it is not super”.
      Spot on.
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      All SIX Premier league ‘giants’ pull out of European Super League as Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs finally quit

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      ALL six English clubs have now quit the hated European Super League in a massive victory for fan power.Chelsea were the first to break ranks after fans gathered outside their Stamford Bridge ground to voice their anger, with Manchester City following soon after.
      A large number of Chelsea fans gathered at Stamford Bridge to voice their anger
      One Chelsea fan spoke for the nation with the simple message: ‘We want our cold nights in Stoke’Credit: AFP
      There was jubilation when fans heard the decision had been taken to quit
      Then Spurs, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all announced they were quitting the project hours later.
      Meanwhile the Premier League held a crisis meeting without the ‘Big Six’, where the remaining 14 clubs “unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans” for the rebel eague.
      Fan power across the football world has pushed the loathed European Super League to the brink of collapse as reports from Italy said Inter Milan have joined the six English clubs in abandoning the project.
      Late last night the European Super League confirmed the plans had been suspended.
      The league is now considering the “most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible”, it said in a statement.
      THEY THINK IT’S ALL OVER
      Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was reportedly left “shaken” by the fury directed at the Premier League’s rebels.
      He told supporters the club “regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal.”
      In a statement, he added: “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.”

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      Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal also apologised for the “distress” caused by the plan and told fans “we have heard you” as the club also confirmed it was quitting.
      “The last few days have shown us yet again the depth of feeling our supporters around the world have for this great club and the game we love,” the board said in a statement.
      “We needed no reminding of this but the response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.
      “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.”
      Banners and scarves were tied to the fences around Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium in protest against the European Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      Protesters hung banners in ManchesterCredit: PA
      Chelsea’s technical director Petr Cech begged fans to disperse as blue smoke grenades filled the airCredit: PA
      Manchester United said it will not be participating in the European Super League after listening “carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders”.
      Liverpool also issued a statement confirming its “involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued”.
      The club said in recent days it had received “valuable contributions” on the issue.
      None of the clubs involved appears to have anticipated the level of anger from supporters across the country and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was reportedly “blindsided” by the fans’ response.
      The Blues said having had “time to consider the matter fully and have decided that our continued participation in these plans would not be in the best interests of the Club, our supporters or the wider football community”.

      The proposed European Super League appeared to unite football fans in fury immediately after it was announced on Sunday night.
      At one stage the Prime Minister even proposed using a new law to block the move.
      He praised Chelsea and Man City for their “absolutely right decision” and called on the four remaining English clubs to “follow their lead”.
      Mr Johnson had earlier branded the ESL a cartel saying its “not right” to rob British fans of their football – saying “be in no doubt that we don’t support it”.
      Massive protests by Chelsea supporters outside Stamford Bridge last night delayed their game against Brighton.
      Marcus Rashford tweeted out a poignant image of Sir Matt Busby’s famous words: ‘Football is nothing without fans’
      The game was delayed for 15 minutes after protesting fans descended on the stadium and blocked the team buses.
      Chelsea legend Petr Cech begged fans let the bus through but his pleas fell on deaf ears with some furious supporters screaming he was a “traitor”.
      A huge roar went up when it was announced that Chelsea were quitting just before kick-off.
      Brighton players including Danny Welbeck also warmed up in protest tops.
      One delighted protester, Paul Greeves, 29, said: “I love this club, but the way they’ve acted has been a joke.
      “This protest really shows what fan power can do. We’re united as one club. All fans have come together and it’s great to see.
      “I can’t believe we have managed to force these clubs to act. It is unheard of in this day and age. Usually they are just all about the money.”
      Sources claimed Chelsea and Man City had been reluctant to sign up in the first place.
      With public fury clear, broadcasters including Amazon Prime, Sky and BT hastily distanced themselves from the Super League project.
      The Sun Says
      THE howl of rage was deafening. And it has worked.
      Grasping billionaires will not be allowed to destroy our national sport.Fans — backed by a robust Tory ­Government, by Prince William, by every sane voice in the land — united in uproar, either abandoning the “big six” clubs they have supported all their lives or protesting outside their stadiums.
      Slowly but surely managers and players, blindsided like everyone else at the weekend, began to rise up. This cold-blooded coup by a megarich cartel has been a direct attack on them too.
      Even potential TV broadcasters of the “European Super League” turned their guns on it. We don’t blame them. Who, long-term, would pay to watch a league where nothing is at stake?
      Where the same founder members effectively play out stale friendlies again and again?
      But the tycoons’ foolish misconception is a lesser point. For this has been a simple issue of right and wrong.
      Avaricious men with no connection to, or feel for, the beautiful game must not steal it from the millions of ordinary people who make it what it is.
      The clubs are listening. Chelsea, Man City, Barcelona and Atletico pulled the plug. Others were considering their options. Man United’s chief resigned.
      The huge threat from Boris Johnson’s “legislative bomb” was bad enough.
      But even soulless owners driven solely by profit baulk if they sense their plan is a financial disaster. As fans desert their clubs, buy no merchandise, cancel ­season tickets and end their TV ­subscriptions for the Prem, those greedy fools are finally realising what a shameful ­mistake they have made.
      What a hornets’ nest they stirred up trying to line their pockets by tearing the heart out of Britain’s national game.
      It must not happen. Not now. Not ever.

      Ed Woodward’s shock departure after 16 years at Old Trafford was said to have been in protest against the ESL.
      Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin this week called Woodward and his fellow rebel club leaders “snakes and liars”.
      Andrea Agnelli, president of Juventus, one of three Italian sides which were joining the ESL, also resigned.
      Barcelona president Joan Laporta last night backtracked, claiming its members will decide.
      He said: “Barcelona will not join the Super League until our socios vote for it. It’s their club, so it’s their decision.”
      There were also reports that Atletico Madrid were preparing to withdraw, leaving the fledgling project in tatters.
      Fans could also be handed powers to block teams joining any new league.
      Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford, who forced ministers into a U-turn over free school meals last year, issued a thinly-veiled warning to his club’s US owners.
      Man United chief executive Ed Woodward resignedCredit: PA
      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appeared to criticise the plans even before his team quitCredit: Getty
      The striker, 23, tweeted a poignant image of Red Devils hero Sir Matt Busby’s famous words: “Football is nothing without fans.”
      Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson also piled in, summoning all his fellow Premier League captains to an emergency meeting last night.
      Spurs chairman Daniel Levy had told fellow Premier League executives the breakaway plot had been driven by a desire for “more respect and for more money” from European soccer chiefs.
      But he added the backlash was “not what I wanted, or expected”.
      The ESL would have seen United, City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool — and 14 other top European teams sharing a £4.6billion pot in a rival to the current Champions League.
      Crowds descended on Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea’s match against BrightonCredit: Sebastian Frej/MB Media
      Prince William, the FA President, held talks with FA chiefsCredit: PA
      But it would be a “closed shop” with no relegation for the 12 founder members.
      The 14 Premier League clubs not involved in the breakaway competition said they “unanimously and vigorously rejected” the plans.
      Supporters have been furious since the plans for the new league were announced on Sunday and condemned the move as shameful.
      Last night they began reacting to news that their clubs are to ditch the plans after all.
      Spurs fan George Martin, 28, said: “It was a dumb idea to begin with. How dare these clubs think they can take over the game like this, it’s a disgrace.
      “I’ve supported Spurs all my life and I was close to leaving them over this, so I am glad these clubs have seen sense and decided against it.”
      Liverpool fan Ross Maietta, 72, said: “I’ve supported this great club for more than 50 years.
      “I’ve seen them win multiple European Cups but I feared after this announcement it’d be the end for me.
      Brighton players including Danny Welbeck warmed up in protest topsCredit: EPA
      Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson summoned all 20 Premier League captains to an emergency meetingCredit: Alamy
      The grandson of Bill Shankly said his grandad’s statue should be removed from Anfield if the club went ahead with its threatCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “But we have all managed to put our differences aside and come together for this cause.
      “We say no to the Super League, now and forever. This would destroy football and I am not prepared to let that happen.”
      And Arsenal fan Luke Gilles, 46, said: “My club is badly run. It is being run into the ground and I felt as though there was nothing I could do about it.
      “This proves how much power fans have and I sincerely hope we can stick together in this and continue to fight for what is right for our clubs.”
      Aston Villa fan Craig Bradley called for the teams involved to be kicked out of the Premier League.

      Burnley fan Lorna Smith called it “a terrible idea and one that is purely motivated by greed”.
      In America, British talk show host James Corden told viewers: “Many teams were started by working-class people, dock workers, builders… they were built by and for the communities that they play in. They are not franchises.
      “Anyone can beat anyone on their day and it’s that that makes it incredible.
      “Billionaire owners took something so pure and so beautiful and they beat the love and the joy out of it. And they did it for money.”
      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appeared to criticise the plans even before his team quit.
      He said: “It is not a sport where success is already guaranteed, where it doesn’t matter when you lose.
      Spurs chariman Daniel Levy said the breakaway plot had been driven by a desire for ‘more respect and for more money’Credit: Mark Pain / Premium Sport

      “I would love the president of this committee to explain to the whole world why they took the decision.
      “I don’t know why these specific teams have been selected.
      “And it’s not fair if one team fights to make it to the top and then cannot qualify because success is just guaranteed for a few clubs.”
      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher slam Man Utd and Liverpool owners over European Super League fallout More