All SIX Premier league ‘giants’ pull out of European Super League as Liverpool, Man Utd and Spurs finally quit
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.”
MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE
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.”
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