European Super League

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      Man Utd share prices sky-rocket by more than ELEVEN PER CENT after European Super League formation announcement

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’s share prices have risen a whopping 11 PER CENT following news of their involvement in the proposed European Super League.On Sunday, the Red Devils announced they’ve signed up to be part of the breakaway 15-team league, which Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are also set to feature in.
      Manchester United’s share prices have risen over 11 per cent following news of their involvement in the ESLCredit: Getty
      Joel Glazer (R) believes the European Super League will begin a ‘new chapter for European football’Credit: PA
      And their involvement in the controversial plan – which many have dubbed a money-grabbing ploy – has already had a positive financial effect.
      United’s shares have risen 11.32 per cent from 16.17 at the close of trading on Friday to 17.98 on Monday lunchtime.
      The Premier League big boys aren’t the only one of the European Super League clubs to have benefitted from the announcement.
      Italian champions Juventus also saw their shares prices rise a staggering 17 per cent from the close of trading on Friday.
      Footy fans across the globe have reacted furiously to the proposed ESL.
      But United’s Executive Co-Chairman Joel Glazer insists the league will begin a ‘new chapter for European football’.
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      He said: “By bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider football pyramid.”
      United legend Gary Neville has slammed the club’s involvement and has called for the Premier League to deduct points from them.
      He told Sky Sports: “In the wake of Covid, it’s an absolute scandal.
      “Manchester United and the rest of the big six clubs who have signed up for it should be ashamed of themselves.
      “And Manchester United are drawing with Burnley. I must admit, I can’t concentrate on the game, me.

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      “They should be docked, all the six teams that have signed up to it.
      “Deduct points off them all – to do it during a season, it’s a joke.”
      He added: “Deduct them all points tomorrow, put them at the bottom of the league and take their money off them… it’s a criminal act against football fans in this country.
      “In the midst of a pandemic, an economic crisis, football clubs at National League level going bust nearly, furloughing players, clubs on the edge in League One and Two – and these lot are having Zoom calls about breaking away and basically creating more greed?”

      European Super League explained: Which clubs involved, how many matches would be played and what about Champions League? More

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      The owners of European Super League’s Dirty Dozen revealed including Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal billionaires

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      ON Sunday, it was revealed 12 European giants had decided to form a money-spinning, breakaway European league to rival the Champions League.The decision has been widely criticised by fans, pundits and players alike with many believing it’s just a get-richer-quicker scheme.

      But who are the owners of each club involved?
      We take a look at all 12 clubs and their mega-rich owners…
      ENGLAND
      ARSENAL
      Stan Kroenke is the current owner of Arsenal as well as a host of American sports teamsCredit: Reuters
      Owner(s): Stan Kroenke
      Nationality: American
      Net worth: £5.9bn
      Club value: £2.1bn
      KROENKE first go involved with Arsenal in 2007 when Granada Ventures sold its 9.9 per cent stake to the American’s company.
      A year later, continuing to hoover up shares, Kroenke joined the Gunners board, before taking a majority share by 2011.
      It was only in 2018 he gained complete control after buying out remaining shareholder Alisher Usmanov’s stake in the club.
      Kroenke is something of a pantomime villain at the Emirates, with many fans frustrated at the club’s direction since his takeover.
      The firing of 55 members of staff during the coronavirus pandemic did little to help his popularity.
      Not only have results suffered on the pitch, but the club have struggled to compete with their ‘Big Six’ rivals financially in the transfer market.
      CHELSEA
      Chelsea have been owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich since 2003Credit: AFP
      Owner(s): Roman Abramovich
      Nationality: Russian
      Net worth: £10.6bn
      Club value: £2.3bn
      ABRAMOVICH took control of the Blues in the summer of 2003 and immediately threw his financial clout at the club.
      Chelsea went from a club chasing European spots to one of the continent’s biggest powerhouses.
      Abramovich single-handedly made Chelsea a financial beast, investing in players on the pitch and forging commercial relationships off it.
      Nearly 20 years later, Abramovich is still not shy in splashing the cash – with fans generally happy with his leadership.
      LIVERPOOL
      Liverpool saw FSG take over at Anfield in 2010 and have enjoyed great successCredit: Getty
      Owner(s): John W. Henry
      Nationality: American
      Net worth: £2bn
      Club value: £2.96bn
      FENWAY SPORTS GROUP took over from the wildly unpopular George Gillett and Tom Hicks in 2010.
      Since then, Liverpool have been on a hugely upwards trajectory.
      Around the time of the takeover, the Reds were dwindling around seventh or eight in the Premier League.
      But with some canny investment, Liverpool are now reigning Premier League champions – with their 30-year title drought ended a year after they won their sixth Champions League crown.
      FSG – headed up by Henry – are largely popular at Anfield for that reason.
      NBA superstar LeBron James also increased his stake in Liverpool after investing in FSG.
      MAN CITY
      Sheikh Mansour took over at Man City in 2008 with the club going from strength-to-strengthCredit: AFP
      Owner(s): Sheikh Mansour
      Nationality: Emirati
      Net worth: £15.7bn
      Club value: £2.9bn
      SHEIKH MANSOUR took over at the Etihad in 2008 and, like Abramovich at Chelsea, enjoyed immediate success.
      The statement signing of Robinho – then at the peak of his powers – laid the groundwork.
      And by 2011-12 after hundreds of millions of pounds worth of investment, Man City won their first-ever Premier League.
      City have gone on to win another three under the Emirati owner and are on track for their fifth overall in 202021.
      Sheikh Mansour is a popular figure among the majority of City fans for helping the club enjoy its greatest-ever era.
      MAN UTD
      Man Utd are owned by the largely unpopular Glazer familyCredit: AFP
      Owner(s): The Glazers
      Nationality: American
      Net worth: £3.2bn
      Club value: £3.03bn
      THE Glazer family first got involved with United in 2005 after Malcolm purchased a 28.7 per cent stake in the club before taking full control soon after.
      The Americans have overseen a mixed bag of results and are often the focus of United fans’ frustration.
      They enjoyed the last few seasons of Sir Alex Ferguson, but also oversaw the disastrous David Moyes and Louis van Gaal eras.
      Jose Mourinho was also sacked by United – costing them £15m in compensation – with the club chasing its first league title in nearly a decade.
      Only a Europa League and League Cup success – both in 2016-17 – have mildly pacified United fans in recent seasons.
      United are started to show signs of life under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if the Glazers are willing to stick with him.
      But there remain concerns over the club’s astronomical debt – which has only worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.
      TOTTENHAM
      Tottenham have been owned by Joe Lewis, with Daniel Levy chairman, since 2001Credit: Reuters
      Owner(s): Joe Lewis
      Nationality: British
      Net worth: £3.5bn
      Club value: £1.66bn
      LEWIS took over from Lord Alan Sugar in 2001 and has been in charge ever since, alongside chairman Daniel Levy.
      Tottenham are yet to break their now-13-year trophy drought, with their last piece of silverware coming in 2008 when they won the League Cup.
      Spurs fans are often left frustrated by the club’s inability to challenge their rivals financially in the transfer market.
      However, in recent season, the club have proven they’re willing to spend big when the right opportunity arises.
      The board’s next job will be to find anew manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked on Monday.
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      ITALY
      AC MILAN
      AC Milan are owned by Elliott Management Corporation, founded by Paul Singer (pictured)Credit: Getty
      Owner(s): Elliott Management Corporation
      Nationality: American
      Net worth: £32.2bn
      Club value: £405m
      THE American firm took over at the San Siro very recently, in 2018.
      Milan have enjoyed a slight uptick in form this season – challenging Inter for the Serie A title.
      The club even have a new stadium potentially on the horizon.
      INTER MILAN
      Inter Milan are owned by Chinese company Suning Holdings GroupCredit: EPA
      Owner(s): Suning Holdings Group
      Nationality: Chinese
      Net worth: £6.8bn
      Club value: £537m
      SUNING HOLDINGS GROUP took over in 2016, with the club initially burning through managers oversclashes over the club’s direction.
      Roberto Mancini, Ronald De Boer, Stefano Pioli and Luciano Spalletti have all come and gone.
      The club are now enjoying a purple patch under Antonio Conte and are almost certain to win the Serie A title this breaking, snapping Juventus’ nine-year streak.
      However, the season hasn’t all been fun and games, with the owners’ financial worries surfacing in February.
      Suning-owned Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu FC were even forced to ‘cease operations’.
      JUVENTUS
      Juventus have been owned by the Agnelli family since the 1920s, with Andrea (pictured) the current chairmanCredit: AP
      Owner(s): The Agnelli family
      Nationality: Italian
      Net worth: £9.7bn
      Club value: £1.45bn
      THE Agnelli family – who own car giants Fiat – took control of Juventus way back in 1923.
      Having owned the club for nearly a century it’s almost impossible for fans to consider a life after the family.
      Their record as Italy’s most successful club speaks for itself though, with Juventus having won the last nine Serie A title.
      Juve have won 69 major trophies, with AC Milan not a particularly close second with 48.
      SPAIN
      ATLETICO MADRID
      Atletico Madrid have three owners, with Spanish millionaire Miguel Angel Gil Marin the majority shareholderCredit: Getty
      Owner(s): Miguel Angel Gil Marin (51%), Idan Ofer, Enrique Cerezo
      Nationality: Spanish/Israeli
      Net worth (combined): £5bn
      Club value: £720m
      GIL MARIN – who made his money in horse and bull breeding – first became chief executive in 1993 after investment from his father, Jesus Gil.
      Israeli billionaire Ofer – who accounts for £4.6bn of the Atleti owners’ £5bn net worth – owns around a third of the club having bought out Dalian Wanda Group in 2018.
      Cerezo, meanwhile, has been president since 2002.
      Atletico Madrid have enjoyed increasing success in recent years and are pushing for only their 11th league title this season.
      BARCELONA
      Barcelona are one of four LaLiga teams owned by their fansCredit: Reuters
      Owner(s): Club members
      Nationality: N/A
      Net worth: N/A
      Club value: £3.44bn
      BARCELONA are one of four member-owned LaLiga teams.
      Each year, 144,000 people pay membership fees and hold shareholder votes on key decisions.
      REAL MADRID
      Real Madrid are another Spanish top-flight club who are controlled by their membersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Owner(s): Club members
      Nationality: N/A
      Net worth: N/A
      Club value: £3.43bn
      LIKE Barcelona, Real Madrid are run by their club members.
      Los Blancos boast around 90,000 paying members – who control the club and vote on major decisions.
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      The Premier League rule that will force ‘Big Six’ to QUIT English top-flight after joining European Super League

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      ENGLAND’S top clubs WILL be forced to quit the Premier League if they go ahead with the European Super League, it can be revealed.A rule in the Prem guidelines will stop Man Utd, Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham from playing domestic football.
      Premier League clubs will be forced to quit the Premier League if they want to play the European Super LeagueCredit: AP

      Except with the prior written approval of the Board, during the Season a Club shall not enter or play its senior men’s first team in any competition other than:

      L.9.1 the UEFA Champions League
      L.9.2 the UEFA Europa League
      L.9.3. the FA Cup
      L.9.4 the FA Community Shield
      L.9.5. the Football League Cup
      L.9.6 competitions sanctioned by the County Association of which it is a member

      Prem chiefs are furious with the £4.6BILLION breakaway plan, which was confirmed on Sunday night.
      Under rule L9, clubs are not allowed to play in any competitions other than those listed during the football season.
      The full rule states: “Except with the prior written approval of the Board, during the Season a Club shall not enter or play its senior men’s first team in any competition other than:
      “L.9.1 the UEFA Champions League, L.9.2 the UEFA Europa League, L.9.3. the FA Cup, L.9.4 the FA Community Shield, L.9.5. the Football League Cup or L.9.6 competitions sanctioned by the County Association of which it is a member.”
      Given the Premier League’s strong opposition to the European Super League plans, it’s fair to say obtaining ‘prior written approval’ may be tricky.
      The ‘Big Six’ were warned they could be BANNED from football for agreeing to join the new league.
      Prime Minister Boris Johnson slammed the move, which plunged football into the biggest crisis it has faced this century outside of the Covid-19 pandemic — with the FA and Uefa threatening legal action.
      Johnson claimed he would ensure the new league does NOT go ahead as the front pages in Europe’s biggest papers hit out at the plans.
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      A banner outside Anfield strong opposing the plansCredit: AFP
      And a fan outside Old Trafford in Manchester also condemning the top clubsCredit: Reuters

      He said: “Plans for a European Super League would be very damaging for football and we support football authorities in taking action.
      “They would strike at the heart of the domestic game, and will concern fans across the country.
      “The clubs involved must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps.”
      The Real Madrid-led, 12-club rebels broke cover on the eve of Uefa’s planned confirmation of its own plans for a revamp of the Champions League today.
      Spanish giants Real, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid — plus Italian trio Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan — make up the group.
      They make up 12 of what will be 15 founding clubs, who cannot be relegated from the closed-shop elite – with Borussia Dortmund REJECTING the opportunity to join.
      Five clubs will be entitled to qualify every year, with the season running from August to May.
      All matches will be played in midweek slots, with the clubs insistent they will be able to continue to play in their domestic leagues and “preserve the traditional domestic match calendar which remains at the heart of the club game”.
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      But a damning statement from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A claimed any club taking part would be “banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level.”
      The 20 clubs will be split into two groups of 10, playing 18 games – nine home and nine away – with the top three in each group qualifying automatically for the last eight knock-out stage.
      Teams finishing fourth and fifth in each group will then play off to fill the final two knock-out slots, with the ties played over two legs apart from a one-off final “which will be staged as a single fixture at a neutral venue”.
      Man Utd chairman Joel Glazer said: “By bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring the world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider football pyramid.”
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez added: “We will help football at every level and take it to it’s rightful place in the world.
      “Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires.”
      A fuming Gary Neville slammed the ‘criminal’ behaviour of clubs involved saying he was ‘disgusted’ and calling for them to be RELEGATED, stripped of their titles and incur massive fines.
      Neville blasted the owners of the Big Six, labelling them ‘imposters’ and ‘bottle merchants’ and said fans need to be protected from the greedy power grab.
      The Big Six clubs who have signed up to a European Super League

      While ex-United star Rio Ferdinand raged: “This is a war on football — a disgrace.
      “It’s a closed shop for bigwigs, The rich getting richer and the rest not even being considered.”
      Jamie Carragher took aim at former club Liverpool saying he was ‘sickened’, calling the Reds an ’embarrassment’.
      A Prem statement read: “A European Super League will undermine the appeal of the whole game.
      “It will have a deeply damaging impact on prospects of the Premier League and all those who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.
      “We will work with fans, the FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity of English football.

      The Premier League added: “This attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of domestic and European football.
      “Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best.
      “We believe the European Super League would destroy this dream.”
      Furious Liverpool and Tottenham fans protest European Super League plot outside stadiums with more supporters to follow More

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      Cheeky Real Betis remove Atletico, Real Madrid and Barcelona from LaLiga table after European Super League bombshell

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      REAL BETIS have removed Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona from the LaLiga table following news of the trio’s involvement in the European Super League.On Sunday, it emerged the Spanish giants have signed up to be part of the breakaway league – which will include a further 12 of Europe’s big clubs.
      Real Betis have removed Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona from the LaLiga tableCredit: REAL BETIS
      The LaLiga table as it currently standsCredit: GOOGLE
      And Betis have wasted little time in moving on, removing the LaLiga giants from the league table on their official website.
      The modified table has Sevilla, Villarreal and Betis occupying first, second and third place respectively – which Atletico, Real and Barca currently sit in.
      Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool represent the European Super League’s English contingent.
      Serie A big boys Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus make up the 12 ‘founding clubs’.
      A further three teams will be invited to make up the 15-team league, which has sparked global outrage.
      Football governing bodies Uefa and Fifa have reacted furiously to the plans and have threatened to impose bans on the clubs and players who participate in the league.
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      And uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has branded the proposal a ‘spit in the face of all football lovers.’
      He said: “We’re still assessing the situation with our legal team. It’s a bit too early.
      “We will take all the sanctions that we can and we will inform you as soon as we have a clear answer.
      “My opinion is that, as soon as possible, the players have to be banned from all our competitions.
      “I cannot stress more strongly Uefa and the footballing world are united against the disgraceful, self-serving proposals we have seen, fuelled purely by greed.
      “It’s a nonsense of a project. This idea is a spit in the face for all footballer lovers and our society.
      “We will not allow them to take this away from us.”

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      Furious Liverpool and Tottenham fans made their views known by staging protests outside of Anfield and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      The Premier League voiced their fury at the plans for the breakaway league in a joint statement with the English Football Association, Uefa, EFA, LaLiga and Serie A.
      It read: “UEFA, the English Football Association and the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga, and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Lega Serie A have learned that a few English, Spanish and Italian clubs may be planning to announce their creation of a closed, so-called Super League.
      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League

      “If this were to happen, we wish to reiterate that we – UEFA, the English FA, RFEF, FIGC, the Premier League, LaLiga, Lega Serie A, but also FIFA and all our member associations – will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project that is founded on the self-interest of a few clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever.
      “We will consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening. Football is based on open competitions and sporting merit; it cannot be any other way.
      “As previously announced by FIFA and the six Federations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.
      “We thank those clubs in other countries, especially the French and German clubs, who have refused to sign up to this.
      “We call on all lovers of football, supporters and politicians, to join us in fighting against such a project if it were to be announced.
      “This persistent self-interest of a few has been going on for too long. Enough is enough.”
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      European Super League explained: Which clubs involved, how many matches would be played and what about Champions League? More

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      Supercomputer predicts first European Super League season with Barcelona inaugural winners but Prem clubs flopping

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      BARCELONA will be crowned champions of the inaugural European Super League, according to a supercomputer.On Sunday it was revealed 12 European giants had signed up to form a breakaway midweek competition to global condemnation.
      Barcelona are in the driving seat to win the first-ever European Super League, says a supercomputer
      Barcelona are the early favourites to win the inaugural competitions say the statsCredit: Reuters
      Both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are pressing ahead with the £4.6BILLION project.
      Barcelona and both Madrid giants join them from Spain, with Italian clubs Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan also involved.
      Borussia Dortmund have rejected the chance to get involved, with Bayern Munich believed to be against the plans – as two French clubs are lined up to join the 15 founding members.
      The plans have been widely panned for ‘killing’ football, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson even suggesting he will do what he can to quash the inception of the European Super League.
      But Barcelona might want to continue their push to get the tournament the go-ahead – despite outrage hitting the front pages of Europe’s biggest newspapers.
      According to bettingexpert.com’s supercomputer, Lionel Messi and Co are the early favourites to win the first-ever edition of the competition.
      The computer crunched the numbers from the last TEN seasons of club football, taking into consideration points, goal difference and trophies won.
      And Barcelona lead the way in all THREE categories.
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      Man City are England’s best chance of winning the new competition, say the numbersCredit: Reuters

      The LaLiga giants boast an average of 2.4 points per game in the past decade, ahead of Real Madrid in second on 2.29.
      Juventus come in third on 2.28 points per game, ahead of Manchester City on 2.17.
      Atletico Madrid sit fifth on exactly two points per game, followed by the remaining FIVE Premier League clubs.
      Manchester United (1.95), Chelsea (1.92), Liverpool (1.91), Arsenal and Tottenham (both 1.84) complete the top ten.

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      Milan giants AC and Inter complete the 12 clubs with 1.73 and 1.72 points per game respectively.
      Barcelona also lead the way in total trophies with 23, ahead of rivals Real on 19 and City on 18.
      It has not yet been confirmed which three teams will join the ‘dirty dozen’ in becoming the 15 ‘founding members’.
      But it’s suspected Paris Saint-Germain will be among them, along with another French top-flight giant, particularly if Bayern Munich and Dortmund decide to sit out.
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      European Super League explained: Which clubs involved, how many matches will be played and what about Champions League?

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      THE Premier League has been rocked after members of its ‘Big Six’ signalled their intent to join a European Super League.Manchester United, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all involved in the plot, which has been blasted by Gary Neville as “criminal”.

      Fans will be keen to know what is being laid out, how it would work and the impact any breakaway would have.
      SunSport explains the plans, as they stand – and the hurdles that have to be overcome:
      What is the European Super League?
      A 20-team breakaway league with matches to be played midweek and an end of season play-off to determine the winners, with a provisional kick-off from the start of the 2022-23 season.
      In addition to the 15 founding clubs, who cannot be relegated from the closed-shop elite, five clubs will be entitled to qualify each season.
      All matches will be played in midweek slots, with the clubs insistent they will be able to continue to play in their domestic leagues and “preserve the traditional domestic match calendar which remains at the heart of the club game”.
      The 20 clubs will be split into two groups of 10, playing 18 games – nine home and nine away – with the top three in each group qualifying automatically for the last eight knock-out stage.
      Teams finishing fourth and fifth in each group will then play off to fill the final two knock-out slots, with the ties played over two legs apart from a one-off final “which will be staged as a single fixture at a neutral venue”.
      Which clubs would play in it?
      England will have the largest contingent, with Liverpool and United joined by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs.
      Among the remaining 12 ‘founder members’, Spain would supply Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as well as Juventus, Inter and AC Milan from Italy.
      It is unclear how the five additional teams will be selected each year.
      What would be the format of the league?
      It is envisaged that the teams will play each other home and away in a midweek league, with four from each group involved in the end of season play-offs.
      Will they play in their domestic leagues?
      That’s the plan. At least, for now.

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      How does it all fit in to a standard football season?
      That is the big question.
      The Premier League’s 38-game season is already squeezed into a 34-week window and there would now be an EXTRA 34 games for each of the five selected Prem teams to fit in.
      Reducing the Prem to 18 clubs, as envisaged in Project Big Picture – an element backed by all the Big Six – would create some wriggle room, as would scrapping the League Cup.
      But Prem sides are mandated to play in the FA Cup.
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      Is there room for any other games?
      Other than an early start and a late finish, no.
      Until 2024-25, when the new international match calendar – still being worked on by Fifa – comes into operation.
      One plan that gained support was for three four-game international windows – in November, March and June – each year, opening up the entire autumn part of the season for extra club matches.
      How much would clubs be paid?
      A huge £3.1billion fund was being formulated by the competition’s organisers, which was to be split between the 15 founder clubs.
      The payment, ranging from £89m to £310m, was reportedly described as an ‘infrastructure grant’ to spend on stadiums, training facilities and account for lost pandemic revenue.
      The Glazers own Man Utd, one of the teams touted as potential members
      What would a European Super League mean for the Champions League?
      Curtains – which is why Uefa will fight tooth and nail to kill the plot stone dead.
      If Europe’s biggest 18 clubs go it alone, the Champions League – let alone the Europa League – will plummet in commercial value, devastating European football’s economic model.
      What would be the impact on the Premier League?
      Not so much in the immediate term – but significant in the longer term.
      The “top four” race will be rendered redundant if there is a closed shop Super League, which will have an impact on future TV rights sales, although there will still be the appeal of the Big Six playing their domestic matches.
      But the financial disparity between the elite and the rest will become a gaping chasm that will make the Prem utterly uncompetitive – unless the big boys prioritise the new European Premier League and play shadow sides at home, which, of course, will make the Prem even less appealing to the broadcasters.
      This is arguably the best XI of players who as it stands would play in the European Super League

      Will it really go ahead?
      On Sunday, Uefa, the English Football Association, the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), LaLiga, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Lega Serie A released a joint statement condemning the plans.
      Should the domestic associations not give their blessing for clubs to join the league, they could be booted out of all domestic competitions.
      Clubs have also been warned that their players could be ineligible for international football if they join a breakaway league.
      Uefa are expected to confirm the details of the new-look Champions League to take effect from the 2024-25 season in the next few months.
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      Former Wales Women’s skipper slams ‘Big 6’ breakaway as stars of the women’s game hit out at plans

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      LAURA MCALLISTER described the plans of six of England’s biggest clubs to form a European Super League as an ‘existential threat’ to football. The former Cardiff City ace is among a number of influential figures in the women’s sport to criticise the breakaway. 
      Laura McAllisters fears a European Super League could damage football from grassroots to international levelCredit: Getty
      McAllister, 57, who has 24 international Wales caps and is aiming to become Uefa’s female rep on the Fifa Council, was reacting to the announcement on BBC Radio Five Live.
      Twelve European sides will be involved in the £4.6billion league unveiled the night before Uefa’s confirmation of an overhauled Champions League. 
      The 12-club group – led by Real Madrid – includes Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Man United and Tottenham. 
      They are a part of what will be 15 founding sides who cannot be relegated from the closed shop competition. 
      And in statements published on their websites, Arsenal and Chelsea said there are plans to set up a corresponding women’s league. 
      In a thread on Twitter McAllister, who played as a defender for Cardiff City Ladies for 12 years, says she is deeply concerned by the breakaway.
      THREAD 1/4 I’m deeply concerned by the prospect of a breakaway European super league. The implications would be devastating to the game from grassroots to most clubs to international level. The whole model that’s worked so well for so long would be up-ended with potentially 1/4— Laura McAllister 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@LauraMcAllister) April 18, 2021

      McAllister told Radio Five Live: “This is a fundamental and existential threat to football as we know it. 
      “I have made it pretty clear in my statement yesterday evening that this is a threat to every single player in football, every single club in football and every single child who wants to go grow up supporting their local team. 
      “This hits at the heart of football. Football has always been a local game that belongs to communities. 
      “Now we can be very romantic about that and say that changed a long time ago
      Officials at Arsenal and Chelsea say they are plans to set up women’s version of the European Super LeagueCredit: Zuma Press

      “But to create a league that is effectively a closed league, with the biggest clubs guaranteed to play each other year-on-year and hoover up the lion’s share of the money and then wander back into domestic leagues, is a complete anathema to everything that we believe in within football. 
      “My statement was absolutely critical because I am contesting the election on the basis of supporting football from grassroots to the elite. 
      “This hits at the very heart of all of that. All of us in the European football family have to come together and stand strong and stand together 
      “We have just come out from one of the worst periods of football and sport on the back of Covid. 
      “We need solidarity not selfish interventions. This damages the very roots of our game.
      Lianne Sanderson has branded the plans a ‘disgrace’Credit: Getty
      Spanish juggernauts Real, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and Italian rivals Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan make up the rest of the group of 12 involved in the breakaway super league. 
      The move has sparked uproar amongst fans and players including stars from the women’s game. 
      Football pundit and former Arsenal ace Lianne Sanderson described the move as ‘a disgrace’. 
      And on Twitter, Wales international midfielder Jess Fishlock labelled it as ‘pure greed’. 
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is due to give an urgent Commons statement to MPs today on plans to stop several top football clubs from creating the super league.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      BT Sport condemns European Super League and fears for ‘damaging effect to long-term health of football’

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      BT SPORT have condemned the formation of a European Super League by insisting it could have a ‘damaging effect’ on football.The revelation was confirmed on Sunday as the ‘big six’ Premier League clubs announced they had signed up to be involved in the new 20-team format.
      BT Sport have opposed plans for a European Super LeagueCredit: Enterprise News and Pictures

      But with the proposal having already received criticism from fans, pundits, football’s governing bodies and the UK government, broadcasters BT Sport have now weighed in with a similar message.
      In a post on Twitter, they said: “BT recognises the concerns raised by many of football’s leading voices and fans, and believes the formation of a European Super League could have a damaging effect to the long term health of football in this country.
      “As a sport broadcaster showing Premier League, UEFA club football and National League football as well as being lead partner for all the Home Nations football teams, we strongly believe that football makes a significant positive contribution to people’s lives at every level, and this needs to be protected.”
      Among those who have already slammed the proposal is Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who described it as ‘very damaging’.
      And a passionate Gary Neville went one step further on Sunday evening by labelling it a ‘criminal act against the fans’.
      What we know about the format so far is that England will have the largest contingent, with Liverpool and Man Utd joined by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs.
      Among the remaining 12 ‘founder members’, Spain would supply Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as well as Juventus, Inter and AC Milan from Italy.
      It is expected Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain will complete the 15-strong closed shop, but Borussia Dortmund have already ruled themselves out.
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      It is then unclear how the five additional teams will be selected each year.
      The provisional start date for the inaugural European Super League is at the start of the 2022-23 season, although this is subject to change.
      For an extensive look at how the European Super League would work, check out SunSport’s guide to the radical new idea.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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