Super League: English clubs ‘cannot leave’ due to binding contract, says Florentino Perez

The Real Madrid president has insisted the Super League will go ahead as the contracts the clubs have signed cannot be broken

Florentino Perez was appointed chairman of the Super League (AFP via Getty Images)

England’s ‘big six’ clubs “cannot leave” the European Super League as they have signed binding contracts to compete in the breakaway competition, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all announced plans to join the controversial ‘closed-shop’ tournament before withdrawing on Tuesday.

The Premier League clubs were part of the Super League’s 12 founding members, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter, but Perez has maintained they are unable to walk away from the plans.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have not formally left the competition and Perez has remained insistent that it will go ahead.

“I don’t need to explain what a binding contract is. But come on, the clubs cannot leave,” Perez told AS.

“Some, under pressure, have had to say that they are leaving. But this project or another very similar one will go ahead, and I hope soon.”

Owners of the Premier League teams involved have since issued apologies to their fans, whose opposition to the Super League was clear following the announcement of the tournament late on Sunday evening.

Arsenal fans protested against the club’s ownership outside the Emirates Stadium ahead of their match against Everton on Friday, while Manchester United fans held similar demonstrations on Saturday.

Asked when he thinks the Super League will go ahead, Perez said: “You have to do it as quickly as possible, but first you have to explain the project to people in good faith.”

The Real Madrid president previously defended the competition by saying it was necessary in order to “save football”.