Super League news LIVE: Barcelona and Real Madrid only clubs left standing after ‘big six’ lead exodus

Follow all the latest developments as the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ confirm their departure from the breakaway competition

Boris Johnson vows to block European Super League

The breakaway European Super League is no longer, that’s according to Andrea Agnelli, chairman of Juventus and the ESL, who admitted that without the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, the breakaway competition cannot go ahead as planned.

Less than 48 hours after the 12 founding members confirmed their plans to move away from Uefa’s Champions League and redefine the structure of European football, all six English clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham) were forced into an embarrassing climbdown.

Following the English clubs’ announcements, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan as well as AC Milan and Juventus have confirmed their exits which leaves Real Madrid and Barcelona as the only clubs yet to confirm their departure.

“Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations,” the league said in a statement.

“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”.

Follow all the latest below as we will bring breaking news, reaction and analysis through the day on this seismic story for European football.

Read more:

• Founder confirms European Super League cannot continue without Premier League clubs
• ‘A toxic endeavour’: How Super League went from breakaway to breakdown
• ‘I don’t see how we come back from this’: What now for Liverpool and FSG?
• Which teams have left the Super League?
• ‘Enjoying the new knockout format’: Football reacts as ESL comes crashing down

European Super League

• ‘A toxic endeavour’: How Super League went from breakaway to breakdown
• Juventus reluctantly quit European Super League
• Inter Milan withdraw from European Super League
• Atletico Madrid withdraw from European Super League
• Juventus chairman concedes Super League can no longer go ahead
• Ceferin vows to ‘rebuild the unity’ after Premier League clubs’ ‘big mistake'
• Liverpool owner John Henry apologises to fans over Super League plan

[21 April 2021 19:57 · Karl Matchett]

Full time at Spurs

It’s a win for Ryan Mason on his senior managerial debut, as Tottenham come from behind to beat Southampton.

[21 April 2021 19:07 · Karl Matchett]

Man City apologise to fans

“We made a mistake and we sincerely apologise,” says an apology letter from Ferran Soriano.

“The board deeply regrets taking a decision that lost sight of the historic values of the Club.”

More to come on this shortly.

[21 April 2021 18:56 · Karl Matchett]

Everton demand points deductions for Super League clubs

Farhad Moshiri, the owner of Everton, says the Premier League should be taking points off the six English clubs who attempted to create the Super League, accusing them of going “against the very idea of British football”.

“I think the Premier League should deduct points from these clubs,” he told TalkSPORT.

“When clubs get deducted points for minor things – poaching a manager, a player, exceeding Financial Fair Play, these six clubs are attacking the very heart of the Premier League and I think they should be disciplined. That’s what I’d do.”

[21 April 2021 18:27 · Karl Matchett]

Consequences and “shame” for Super League clubs

More to come beyond the collapse of the competition, that’s for sure. RMC journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi says several non-ESL clubs have already demanded punitive action against the dozen involved.

[21 April 2021 18:22 · Karl Matchett]

‘Big six’ executives could be asked to step down from PL roles

This might turn out to be the first knock-on effect of the failed Super League, though it’s not necessarily a devastating blow to the six clubs.

Sky are reporting that the likes of Tom Werner (Liverpool), Bruce Buck (Chelsea) and Ferran Soriano (Man City) will be asked to step down from the Premier League advisory boards they currently sit on.

Ed Woodward (Man United) and Vinai Venkatesham (Arsenal) are similarly affected, but Spurs do not currently have an executive on these boards. The committees are largely strategic and advisory in nature.

[21 April 2021 17:22 · Alex Pattle]

Tottenham play for first time since Super League exit

Tottenham host Southampton in north London this evening in their first game since withdrawing from the planned Super League last night.

You can follow all the latest build-up, live match updates and post-game reaction with us right here:

[21 April 2021 17:00 · Lawrence Ostlere]

However, in a line which should concern not just Manchester United supporters but football fans in general, Glazer seemed to suggest he still wanted to reform the game which he has shown such disdain for in recent days.

“We continue to believe that European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.”

Full story on Joel Glazer’s letter to Manchester United fans:

[21 April 2021 16:46 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Glazer apologises to United fans

Joel Glazer has released an open letter to Manchester United fans.

“In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions – promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.

“Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.

“We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club.”

[21 April 2021 16:34 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Spurs fans gather outside stadium

Tottenham are in action tonight against Southampton in the Premier League, the first game of new interim manager Ryan Mason following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. We will probably never know, but it seems plausible Mourinho was sacked by Levy on Monday because the chairman felt his club were about to ride off into the sunset and didn’t need Champions League qualification this season. Or perhaps it was just a good day to bury bad news.

Anyway, just as outside Stamford Bridge last night, there are protests building outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

[21 April 2021 16:26 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Chelsea players relieved at Super League U-turn

Senior Chelsea players are understood to be relieved by the club’s decision to withdraw from the European Super League.

It is understood top players at Chelsea are pleased with owner Roman Abramovich and the board’s quick move to cut ties with the short-lived breakaway project.

Chelsea’s players and coaches will now hope to focus fully on what should prove a dramatic end to their season, starting with Saturday’s pivotal Premier League trip to West Ham.

Chelsea owner Abramovich led the Blues’ withdrawal from the Super League on Tuesday night, having listened to the depth of feeling from club supporters in opposing the radical plans.

Abramovich has always insisted his ownership of Chelsea was never about profit or simply money, instead the Russian billionaire has been determined to strengthen the club’s long-term future in west London.

Full story: