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      How England could line up at World Cup 2022 WITHOUT any players from Big Six if European Super League ban comes in

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      ENGLAND’S starting XI at the World Cup in 2022 without ‘Big Six’ stars could see some fan-favourite players getting their chance.Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs have signed up to a 20-team breakaway European Super League.
      This is how England could line up at the 2022 World Cup if no European Super League players are allowed
      Jude Bellingham remains on course to be available as Borussia Dortmund refused to join the ESLCredit: Getty
      The Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’ are joined by Spanish trio Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Italian sides Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.
      But Uefa and Fifa have threatened ESL players they will be BANNED from representing their national teams.
      And while that may rule out many of Gareth Southgate’s top players including Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire, plenty of others would be ready to jump at the chance to represent the Three Lions in Qatar next winter.
      One position that is largely unaffected is in goal with Burnley’s Nick Pope and Everton stopper Jordan Pickford battling it out for the No1 spot between the sticks.
      England have a plethora of right-back options in Kyle Walker, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and even Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
      But with those defenders all at ESL ‘founder’ clubs, the impressive Tariq Lamptey of Brighton could get the nod after his breakout for the Seagulls.
      However, Under-21s first-choice Max Aarons, who has helped fire Norwich back into the Premier League, could also be in with a chance.
      On the other flank, Leicester ace James Justin could be selected if he can rediscover his form after recovering from his ACL injury.
      Other non-Big Six English playersWITH the majority of the current squad playing for teams planning to join the European Super League, that could open the door for plenty on the fringes of the England squad to go to Qatar…
      JORDAN PICKFORD Everton
      SAM JOHNSTONE West Brom
      MAX AARONS Norwich
      MICHAEL KEANE Everton
      JAMES WARD-PROWSE Southampton
      JAMES MADDISON Leicester
      HARVEY BARNES Leicester
      DANNY INGS Southampton
      CALLUM WILSON Newcastle
      DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN Everton

      Conor Coady of Wolves is already in the England set-up while Tyrone Mings could be one of THREE Aston Villa starters in the absence of Maguire, John Stones and Joe Gomez.
      In midfield, there may not be too much change if Southgate picks a midfield three of West Ham’s Declan Rice, Leeds ace Kalvin Phillips and Jude Bellingham.
      The 17-year-old’s Borussia Dortmund snubbed the European Super League, rejecting the chance to join the 12 rebel clubs in the franchise division with no relegation and huge financial incentives.
      James Maddison (Leicester) and James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) could also be in with a chance, as too would Jesse Lingard is he completes a permanent switch to West Ham after his stunning loan spell.

      In attack, Bellingham’s team-mate Jadon Sancho is a shoo-in on one side with Villa captain Jack Grealish operating on the opposite flank.
      And leading the line, Ollie Watkins could be the third Aston Villa starter – although Dominic Calvert-Lewin would have something to say about that.
      Fellow strikers Danny Ings and Callum Wilson would also back themselves to make the squad, while Harvey Barnes should be involved.

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      Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope is vying for the No1 spot with Everton’s Jordan PickfordCredit: Getty
      Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho could both get their chance to start in attackCredit: AFP
      Leicester pair Harvey Barnes and James Maddison could force their way to QatarCredit: AFP
      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League
      Christopher Pincher says the government don’t want to have a ‘kneejerk reaction’ to the news of a potential breakaway European football Super League More

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      Jamie Carragher thinks Fenway will be forced out as Liverpool owners if Jurgen Klopp quits over European Super league

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      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher believes the club’s owners Fenway Sports Group will be forced out of Anfield if Jurgen Klopp quits over the European Super League.The German manager appeared to be upset and angry over their plans to join the breakaway league and the criticism he and his players have subsequently received.
      Jurgen Klopp seems upset about Liverpool’s decision to join the ESLCredit: Reuters
      Jamie Carragher thinks the owners FSG will be forced out if the German manager quitsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher said: “The only reason Liverpool are in this is or have a chance in being in this Super League is because they’ve won six European Cups and 19 league titles.
      “Only one of each came under FSG.
      “They have used everything Liverpool have done in their history, going to even before Bill Shankly, to line their own pockets.
      “If Liverpool lose their manager on the back of this in the next 12 months, then the owners will be run out of that club in a week. I can assure you of that.
      “It hurts me more because this ownership bought Liverpool on the back of other American owners who ran the club badly and the fans got them out.
      “These [owners] got the club for a steal. It is now six or seven times bigger, they’ve made their money and they won the lottery with Liverpool.”
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      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League
      Klopp, who has previously criticised the idea of a European franchise league, appeared to be distressed when questioned on the breakaway plans.
      Speaking before Liverpool’s 1-1 draw to Leeds, he said: “My feelings and my opinion didn’t change.
      “It is a tough one. People are not happy with that. I can understand that, but I cannot say a lot more because we were not involved in any processes, not the players nor me.
      “I have no issues with the Champions League. We want to qualify for the Champions League next year.”

      ⚽ ⚽ EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE LATEST ⚽ ⚽

      He and his team faced a barrage of abuse from angry protesters as they arrived at Elland Road, being booed and called ‘scum’ over their employer’s actions.
      They also had to contend with the Leeds players wearing t-shirts during the warm-up with the words ‘Champions League EARN IT’ emblazoned across the front – a move that made Klopp ‘angry’.
      James Milner also appeared unhappy with Liverpool’s decision to join the ESL, admitting he doesn’t want it to go ahead.
      Klopp’s former side Borussia Dortmund have confirmed they will not be part of the breakaway league.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Leeds players wear Super League protest shirts before Liverpool clash More

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      Leeds striker Patrick Bamford thinks it’s a ‘shame’ there’s so much uproar over money and not racism amid ESL plans

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      LEEDS striker Patrick Bamford believes it’s a ‘shame’ there’s lots of fallout over the European Super League plans and not racism.The 27-year-old was speaking after his team’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, one of the six Premier League teams that have agreed to join the breakaway league, this evening.
      Patrick Bamford has questioned the greed within footballCredit: Getty
      The Leeds players wear T-shirts in protest against the European Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      Speaking to Sky Sports about the ESL, Bamford said: “We’ve just seen pretty much what everyone else has seen on Twitter and stuff.
      “It’s amazing just the things that they’re talking about. I can’t quite comprehend, it’s amazing the amount of uproar that comes into the game when somebody’s pockets are being hurt.
      “It’s a shame it’s not like that with other things that go wrong at the minute, with racism and stuff like that, but it’s just how it is at the minute.
      “For me personally, from what I’ve seen on Twitter and the news, I haven’t seen one football fan that’s happy about the decision.
      “I think football ultimately is for the fans. Without the fans every single club would be pretty much nothing.
      “So I think it’s important we stand our ground and show that football is for the fans and keep it that way.”
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      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League
      ⚽ ⚽ EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE LATEST ⚽ ⚽

      Uefa have been accused of not coming down hard enough on racism in the past, recently giving Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela a 10-game ban for abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.
      Many believe the Kudela’s punishment is nowhere near strong enough, comparing it to the 10-week betting ban Kieran Trippier received from the FA earlier this year.
      Others, meanwhile, have noted Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin’s tirade at the individuals responsible for creating the ESL – calling them ‘snakes’ and asked why chiefs aren’t fighting racism with such vigour.

      Presuming the breakaway league goes ahead, Uefa could lose millions of pounds in revenue as Europe’s most marketable clubs say bye to the organisation.
      Leeds have been highly critical of the plans, mocking Liverpool on Twitter and wearing T-shirts with the words ‘Champions League EARN IT’ emblazoned across the front.
      And Bamford isn’t the only Premier League player to publicly speak out against the ESL, with Liverpool’s James Milner admitting he doesn’t want it to go ahead.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Leeds players wear Super League protest shirts before Liverpool clash More

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      Jurgen Klopp hits back at Gary Neville over his Liverpool Super League rant saying he just goes ‘where most money is’

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      JURGEN KLOPP launched an astonishing rant at Gary Neville for his comments about Liverpool’s European Super League plans.The Reds boss accused Sky Sports pundit Neville of going ‘where the most money is’ and wants to see him ‘on a hotseat’.
      Jurgen Klopp accused Gary Neville of going ‘where most money is’ in an astonishing rantCredit: AP
      The Sky Sports pundit was heavily critical of Liverpool’s involvement in the European Super LeagueCredit: Sky Sports
      Klopp’s amazing response came after Neville slated Liverpool’s involvement in the rebel European Super League.
      The Liverpool boss took exception to ex-Man Utd defender Neville talking about the club’s You’ll Never Walk Alone anthem.
      Klopp felt Neville’s anger was misguided towards the players when he says he and his players only found out about the plans at the same time as everyone else.
      Speaking after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Leeds, Klopp said: “Gary Neville speaks about You’ll Never Walk Alone. That should be forbidden.
      “We have a lot of rights to sing that anthem, it’s our anthem and not his anthem and he doesn’t understand it anyway.
      “You can be emotional but I wish Gary Neville would be in a hotseat somewhere and not where the most money is.
      “He was at Manchester United where the most money is, Sky where the most money is.
      “Don’t forget that we have nothing to do with it. We got the same information and we still have to make play football.
      “‘Damn them to hell’, did he write that today? These things are right? That’s really not OK.”
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      KLOPP VS NEVILLE
      Neville on Sunday: “I’m disgusted with Manchester United and Liverpool the most. Liverpool say they’re the people’s club, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, the fan’s club – it’s an absolute disgrace.”
      Klopp on Monday: “Gary Neville speaks about You’ll Never Walk Alone. That should be forbidden.
      “We have a lot of rights to sing that anthem, it’s our anthem and not his anthem and he doesn’t understand it anyway.
      “You can be emotional but I wish Gary Neville would be in a hotseat somewhere and not where the most money is.
      “He was at Manchester United where the most money is, Sky where the most money is. ”
      Neville’s response: “Yesterday was a passionate rant from me to defend football.
      “I’ve equally distributed enough criticism to both Manchester United and Liverpool over the last 24 hours. So I don’t know what his problem is.
      “He talks about hotseat, I had a 25-year career at Manchester United, an 11-year career at Sky and I’ve earned that. I didn’t go where the most money is.
      “I employ 600 people in my city. I’ve tried to keep them employed during a pandemic. Is that not a hot enough seat for him?”

      Klopp added: “In this specific moment we cannot blame the team.
      “I take the criticism for if we don’t play well and I feel responsible for those things, but this we have nothing to do with.
      “I really don’t want these kinds of things because it’s not fair. I understand all the talk and I don’t like it as well, but I don’t talk about other clubs like this.”

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      Neville immediately responded on MNF: “I don’t know what spiked him. Yesterday was a passionate rant from me to defend football.
      “I’ve equally distributed enough criticism to both Manchester United and Liverpool over the last 24 hours. So I don’t know what his problem is.
      “He talks about hotseat, I had a 25-year career at Manchester United, an 11-year career at Sky and I’ve earned that. I didn’t go where the most money is.
      “I didn’t have choices. Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t say ‘do you want to stay here every single day?’.
      “I have no idea what he’s talking about.
      “I employ 600 people in my city. I’ve tried to keep them employed during a pandemic. Is that not a hot enough seat for him?”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Liverpool drew 1-1 at Leeds on Monday night amid a backdrop of fan fury over the Super League proposals.
      Fans held banners outside Elland Road and even tried to stop the Liverpool team bus from pulling into the stadium.
      Leeds players also warmed up in T-shirts protesting the Euro Super League, which was officially announced late on Sunday night.
      Klopp was also unhappy that the shirts were put in Liverpool’s dressing room before kick-off and reiterated his opposition to the new competition.
      In his pre-match interview, the German told Sky Sports: “I heard there are warm-up shirts, we will not wear them, because we cannot.
      “But if somebody thinks they have to remind us to ‘earn it’ to go to the Champions League, that’s a real joke and it makes me angry.
      “If it was a Leeds idea, thank you very much, nobody has to remind us.”
      Fans held up banners outside Elland Road in protestCredit: AFP
      And some even tried to stop the Liverpool team bus from enteringCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
      Leeds players warmed up in protest shirts that said ‘earn it’Credit: Getty

      Klopp added: “It is a tough one. People are not happy with that. I can understand that, but I cannot say a lot more because we were not involved in any processes, not the players nor me.
      “I have no issues with the Champions League. We want to qualify for the Champions League next year.
      “I like the competitive factor of football. I like the fact West Ham might play Champions League next year. I like that they have the chance.
      “I don’t know exactly why the 12 clubs did it. I know some things will change in the future in football and some things have to change in football that’s for sure.”
      “But usually, you have to prepare these kinds of things, you need time for convincing. I can understand that people think is not right is the competitiveness I get that.
      “I don’t like that we may not be in the Champions League but if we earn it then we want to be there like anybody else.”

      Leeds and Liverpool fans unite to protest European Super League More

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      Gareth Southgate fears Euro Super League will hurt his England plans with players facing BANS for playing in rebel comp

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is concerned that a breakaway European Super League could ruin his England plans.Uefa have threatened that players from the 12 clubs who signed up to the controversial scheme will be banned from international football.
      Gareth Southgate could be without captain Harry Kane and many more at the EurosCredit: Getty
      And England boss Southgate has asked FA chiefs to update him – although it is not thought likely that any such ban would come into place until after the Euros this summer.
      Around two-thirds of Southgate’s likely 23-man squad play for the Premier League’s ‘big six’ who have all signed up for the Super League – which could see them thrown out of English football.
      That would force a series of legal battles as well as the prospect that all players from breakaway clubs would effectively be out of contract, as their current deals are ratified by the Premier League.
      They would then have to choose between signing lucrative new deals with Super League sides or opt for clubs within the existing Fifa structure, which would allow them to continue to represent their countries.
      Uefa are taking a hard-line approach to the Super League threat and president Aleksander Ceferin said yesterday: “We will take all the sanctions we can and will inform you as soon as we have a clear answer.
      “As soon as possible they have to be banned from all our competition and the players from all our competitions.
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      Here’s how England could line up if European Super League players are banned

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      “The players who will play in the teams that might play in the closed league will be banned from playing in the World Cup or Euros and not be able to represent their national teams at any matches.”
      It is believed Uefa will not allow this summer’s tournament to be so badly damaged.
      Should a full breakaway occur, though, most of Southgate’s squad may have a difficult decision to make.
      And that eventuality could ruin Southgate’s plans for next year’s Qatar World Cup.
      If Southgate were robbed of ‘big six’ players, plus Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier, his team would be significantly weakened.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Leeds and Liverpool fans unite to protest European Super League More

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      European Super League plans will decimate value of Prem clubs and leave League One and Two teams on the brink

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      THE ‘Big Six’ claim they do not just want to sail off into the Super League sunset and sink the rest.But irrespective of their motives and the post-Covid financial squeeze, the consequences for those left behind will be immense.
      English football clubs face a painful time as the ‘Big Six’ head for the European Super LeagueCredit: PA
      As Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and United turn their backs on Uefa and join the money hunt they will:

      Cause a £35million-per-club drop in Premier League TV revenues — even if they stay in the top flight

      See that figure drop by more than double if they are banned from playing in the Prem

      Render the league’s “top-four” race redundant

      Smash a huge hole in the potential value of top-flight clubs

      Make clubs ponder whether stadium expansion or rebuilding plans have any real merit

      See a huge knock-on impact on the Championship, where many clubs are already on the brink

      And bring the very existence of clubs in Leagues One and Two under real and genuine threat — despite promises of a huge cash windfall.

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      United and Liverpool stand to trouser £310m each as joining payments, with the other four Prem sides earning £200m.
      Under the package dangled by US investment giant JP Morgan, if they lost EVERY game they would still stand to pick up an extra £130m each season.
      Yet the top-flight rump was left staring at their broken status.
      Their anger will be given full vent at today’s meeting of the  14 clubs left out of the plans, convened by Prem chief executive Richard Masters.
      While the initial reaction is a move to force the ‘Big Six’ out of the competition next season, Masters is likely to point to the repercussions.
      Prem chiefs are planning to  go out to ‘market’ for their  next three year domestic TV deal in the autumn.
      And they are seeking to match the current £5.1bn deal with Sky, BT, Amazon and Match of the Day on the BBC. That contract was achieved WITH the ‘Big Six’.

      Replace them with Norwich, Watford, Swansea, Brentford, Bournemouth and Barnsley and go and ask for £1.7bn per season.
      As one senior football executive warned: “The broadcasters will be laughing at them. If they got a third of the current deal, they would be doing well.”
      Even if the ban threat fails to materialise, the Super League is designed to become the magnet for global ‘media dollars’.

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      Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, likely to be near the top of the anger management  Richter scale, had complained that Uefa’s planned Champions League revamp would damage Prem revenues.
      The Super League would be on another level altogether. Broadcasters are almost certain to cut their overall offer, by as much as £700m per season.
      That is if they anticipated “fan engagement” — viewers, bums on seats and actual interest in meaningless games — dropping through the floor.
      But there would be immediate effects, already felt in share price valuations.

      Mike Ashley thought he had agreed a £350m deal with  the Saudi Government to sell Newcastle before the purchase was mired in broadcast piracy allegations.
      Yet if the Toon can go nowhere, even if a buyer wants to spend a fortune, that value will have disappeared.
      And just weeks after Everton got permission to build their gleaming new £500m home at Bramley-Moore Dock, the Toffees may now be stuck with a white elephant and a ground they  simply can never recoup their expenditure on.
      As the executive agreed: “You have to question why they would push on with the new stadium if this is the new reality.”
      Leicester and West Ham may also have worked themselves to the bone for NOTHING. No Champions League. No £70m pay day.
      The Super League clubs say that the “solidarity” element of their project will be worth a whopping £160m per year to the lower levels of the English game, compared to the £13m that  currently comes from Uefa.
      Yet the EFL said it “stands with” the rest of English football in “condemnation” of the plans, “which attack the foundation of open and fair competition”.
      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League
      Many Championship clubs are fighting for survival and a year of games behind closed doors have left sides in Leagues One and Two hoping for salvation.
      The EFL said: “We oppose  any reform that doesn’t support competition integrity.
      “Or offer clubs the prospect  of one day competing at the highest end of the game.
      “Football is for supporters. The widespread rejection of these proposals must be acknowledged.
      “EFL clubs are an integral  part of their towns and cities and, in many, deliver the biggest single form of communal activity in their local area.”
      If the trickle down of funds stops trickling, as many fear, the lower division clubs face significant change to not only their cost bases, but their whole ethos.
      In 1888, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Bolton were among the 12 newly-professional clubs who rocked the established amateur order and took the plunge to form the Football League.
      Now, 133 years later, another 12-team breakaway threatens  the entire English pyramid, from top to bottom.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Leeds and Liverpool fans unite to protest European Super League More

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      Angry Prem clubs set to tell Big Six rebels to QUIT as 14 teams hold emergency meeting without them

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      THE Big Six rebels face being ordered to QUIT the Premier League by their furious rivals.Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal could also be booted out of Europe this season on FRIDAY.
      The Big Six face being booted out of the Premier League this summer by furious rivalsCredit: PA
      On another dramatic day of turmoil sparked by the decision of the six to sign up to the proposed European Super League, the other 14 top-flight teams are planning their revenge.
      At a Prem meeting on Tuesday — from which the six giants have been excluded — the other teams are set to agree to demand United, Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs all leave the league at the end of the season.
      The outsiders are angry at what they called “underhanded” dealing by the Big Six, despite previous promises of unity collective agreements to back the Prem.
      Clubs are said to be “angry and dismayed” at the actions of the Six, with a call for disciplinary charges and for the League to officially confirm they will not be granted permission to join the £4.6billion scheme.

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      But expelling the rebels is one option that is being discussed by club chiefs and one exec said: “Lots of options are being explored. They have underestimated the opposition.”
      Under Prem rule B6, it would take a vote of three quarters of the 20 clubs to boot any of the Big Six out.
      With a maximum of 14 clubs backing any such call, they would fall one vote short.
      But Rule B11 gives “discretion, right and power” to the League’s Board – chief exec Richard Masters, chairman Gary Hoffman and non-exec director Kevin Beeston – to act in “sole and absolute discretion” to make “final and binding” rulings that are “not subject to appeal”.
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      That ultimate step has never previously been exercised.
      But some of the 14 Premier League clubs have already hit out at the Big Six.
      Aston Villa chief exec Christian Purslow said: “These proposals do away with sporting merit.
      “It would enable a small number of clubs to be in this competition come what may and, for millions of people in football, that goes against everything the sport means and stands for.”

      While Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish added: “This is creating a gilded elite that will not be challenged.
      “If you can imagine uniting every football fan, every chief executive, every politician, Boris Johnson, [France President Emmanuel] Macron… a whole group of people who couldn’t agree on anything suddenly coming out instantly condemning something. So, it feels like a busted flush.”
      Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani said: “Absolutely against the sporting spirit, the dream of millions of fans to conquer the champions on the field, with planning, vision, work.
      “Kill dreams of players and fans. The teams are fans and WE are custodians of the club.”

       Uefa is also ready to hand out the order of the boot for the four Prem clubs left in this season’s European competitions, as soon as Friday.
      Denmark FA chief Jesper Moller revealed: “The Super league clubs who are still in Europe must go, and I expect that to happen on Friday.
      “Then we have to find out how to finish the Champions League.”
      Furious Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, who branded plotters “snakes” who are “spitting in the face” of football fans, also threatened to ban England and overseas stars including Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann from Euro 2020.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League
      UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says any players who take part in European Super League will be banned from World Cup and Euros More

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      Greedy football club owners need to front up to fans and explain why they’re so intent on destroying English football

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      SO come on then ‘Silent Stan’ Kroenke, find a voice and explain yourself to Arsenal supporters.Tell them how you’ve run their club so badly that you can no longer qualify for elite European competition through sporting merit and have to cheat your way in  for eternity by signing up for a sealed-off Super League.
      Greedy silent owners like Arsenal’s Stan Kroenke have to start talking about the European Super LeagueCredit: Reuters
      And silent Joel Glazer and your silent brothers, the slum landlords of Old Trafford, have you got the balls to tell Manchester United fans why they were wrong to protest against your ruinous, parasitic ownership after your leading role in this sordid little coup?
      You leached off the genius of Sir Alex Ferguson and since he went, you are nothing.
      You have presided over eight years of mediocrity, without coming close to winning the Champions League or Premier League.
      And John W Henry, with your ‘This Means More’ and your ‘Unity Is Strength’ guff, let us know  why a European Super League devoid of true competitiveness and sporting jeopardy will ‘mean more’ to Liverpool — and tell us exactly what is so unifying about it.

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      You pretended to buy into the city of Liverpool’s proud, independent, defiant traditions.
      You sponged off your club’s unique folklore. Now you have trashed it and defiled it.
      No more Merseyside derbies. That’s what you’ve effectively signed up to. Nice line in Scouse ‘unity’, that.
      Instead, you just hide behind a mealy-mouthed statement on Liverpool’s official internet channels, including quotes from Glazer — who runs your club’s most bitter rivals — because you are too ashamed to talk about it yourself.
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      Will the Glazers dare to open lines of communication with Man Utd fans?Credit: AFP – Getty

      The Glazers and Henry’s Fenway Sports Group aren’t ‘rivals’. Along with Kroenke, they are shady co-conspirators seeking to impose an Americanised franchise system on elite European football.
      And silent Roman Abramovich, you started all this — the trend for foreign owners, with no feeling for their clubs and with no concept of English football’s essence.
      You bought into our game to give yourself phony respectability after making billions in the murky world of post-Soviet oil carve-ups.
      That money bought you Chelsea, which now enables you to get richer still from Super League bankrollers JP Morgan?
      Oh, and silent Joe Lewis,  the reclusive Bahamas-based  billionaire owner of Tottenham. Unlike the rest of them, you are supposedly a lifelong supporter of the club you preside over.
      Aged 84, you’re even old enough to remember the last time Spurs were champions of England —  60 years ago this week.
      How does a non-competitive league ‘mean more’ to Liverpool owner John W Henry?Credit: Reuters
      Roman Abramovich started the trend of rich foreign owners in footballCredit: AFP
      You must actually have some degree of innate understanding about the 130-year traditions of English League football which you are trampling all over.
      Tell us why you think your club, which has won nothing other than the League Cup for 30 consecutive seasons, suddenly reckons itself too good for all of that.
      And the sheikhs of Abu Dhabi, who claimed you were do-gooders motivated by the regeneration of east Manchester, tell us why you want to destroy the English football pyramid system your club knows better than any of your ‘elite’ chums.
      Apparently, you were the last of England’s ‘Big Six’ to sign up for this atrocity. You felt backed into a corner, we’re told.
      The autocratic rulers of an oil-rich Emirate being bullied by the big boys? Oh, spare us.
      Like Liverpool, you issued quotes from Glazer about the  Super League but none of your own.
      Joe Lewis should remember the last time Spurs won the league – 60 years agoCredit: Reuters
      Man City’s claims of effectively being bullied into signing up are laughableCredit: AFP
      Apart from the lying and back-stabbing there is also an astonishing element of bare-faced misplaced arrogance in all of this.
      Nottingham Forest have twice as many European Cups as Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and City combined. So, honestly, who do these grubby gangsters think they are?
      Cowards, the lot of them. Living in the shadows, operating in silence. Never accountable for their actions.
      Never caring about anything other than the next dollar. None of these craven owners will allow themselves to be put under public scrutiny.
      We’ll be lucky if we hear from any of their lickspittle dirty-working chief executives either.
      Maybe smug chancer Ivan Gazidis will explain a few things. Having ballsed up the succession to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, he’s got his new employers, the once-mighty serial-failures of AC Milan included in this tawdry carve-up.

      Nice work if you can get it, that. Instead, it will be left to the managers to act as human shields for owners, squirming under  questioning  in TV interviews.
      Although, a prickly Jurgen Klopp showed his true colours  last night — choosing not to fully condemn a scheme which, in the words of Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin, ‘spits in the face’ of football lovers.
      Instead, he moaned about Liverpool fans taking down banners from Anfield and bristled at Leeds players wearing T-shirts telling him to ‘earn’ their place in the Champions League.
      Some ‘man of the people’ you are, Jurgen. And what of the players? Many elite footballers have worked their way up from lower leagues and appreciate the  pyramid system.
      This will not sit easily with many, even if they  can quadruple their salaries  in the Super League.
      I feared players would not speak out against their current employers? 
      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League
      Ander Herrera of Paris Saint-Germain — the unlikely refuseniks among this season’s four Champions League semi-finalists — was the first big star to condemn the Super League scheme yesterday.
      Several more have followed – including, significantly, Liverpool’s James Milner, who insisted: “I don’t like it and I hope it doesn’t happen.”
      Fans of ‘Big Six’ clubs are almost unanimously against the plotters who couldn’t give a stuff about the historic community links and family ties which even our grandest clubs are built upon.
      Will the slippery six be forced out of English  football before full houses  are allowed next season? Let’s hope not, as they deserve the howls of derision to ring in their ears.
      That’s if Silent Stan, the Silent Glazers, Silent Roman, the silent Sheikhs, silent Joe Lewis and smug John Henry would even dare to darken the doors of an English domestic football match again.
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      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp fumes at Leeds warm-up T-shirts mocking them for joining European Super League More