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
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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.
- 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
Liverpool owner John Henry apologises to fans over Super League plan
John W Henry has apologised to Liverpool supporters over the club’s intent to join the European Super League.
The Reds were among the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ to confirm their intent on Sunday to join the breakaway competition, which went against the structures of English football.
The champions confirmed their intent to leave the ESL on Tuesday night, less than 48 hours later, but the American billionaire has now moved to apologise to the club’s supporters.
Liverpool owner John Henry apologises to fans over Super League plan
The American owner has admitted to “causing disruption” over the past 48 hours with the Reds initially committing to the breakaway competition
Ceferin vows to ‘rebuild the unity’ after Premier League clubs’ ‘big mistake'
Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has vowed to ‘rebuild the unity’ after the six Premier League clubs walked away from the European Super League.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all confirmed their intent to leave the newly-formed breakaway competition just 48 hours after confirming their intent to join.
And now Ceferin has welcomed their move to correct a “big mistake” and is now focused on “moving forward together”.
“I said yesterday that it is admirable to admit a mistake and these clubs made a big mistake,” read a statement from the Uefa chief.
Aleksander Ceferin vows to ‘rebuild unity’ after Premier League clubs’ ‘big mistake’ over Super League
The Uefa president is determined to move on after six English clubs moved to recommit to the Champions League
Ceferin vows to ‘rebuild the unity’ after Premier League clubs’ ‘big mistake'
Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has vowed to ‘rebuild the unity’ after the six Premier League clubs walked away from the European Super League.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all confirmed their intent to leave the newly-formed breakaway competition just 48 hours after confirming their intent to join.
And now Ceferin has welcomed their move to correct a “big mistake” and is now focused on “moving forward together”.
“I said yesterday that it is admirable to admit a mistake and these clubs made a big mistake,” read a statement from the Uefa chief.
“But they are back in the fold now and I know they have a lot to offer not just to our competitions but to the whole of the European game.
“The important thing now is that we move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together.”
Manchester City’s statement of intent to leave European Super League
Manchester City were the first club to officially confirm its intent to leave the European Super League after Chelsea’s intent was widely reported.
Their short statement read: “Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.”
Liverpool’s statement of intent to leave European Super League
Liverpool’s statement read: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued.
“In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.”
Daniel Levy ‘regrets anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal'
Chairman Daniel Levy said: “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal. 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.”
Manchester United confirm intent to leave European Super League
Manchester United will not be participating in the European Super League.
We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.
We remain committed to working with others across the football community to come up with sustainable solutions to the long-term challenges facing the game.
Arsenal apologise over intent to join European Super League
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.
We needed no reminding of this but the response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.
It was never our intention to cause such distress, however when the invitation to join the Super League came, while knowing there were no guarantees, we did not want to be left behind to ensure we protected Arsenal and its future.
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.
We know it will take time to restore your faith in what we are trying to achieve here at Arsenal but let us be clear that the decision to be part of the Super League was driven by our desire to protect Arsenal, the club you love, and to support the game you love through greater solidarity and financial stability.
Stability is essential for the game to prosper and we will continue to strive to bring the security the game needs to move forward.
The system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the game and harness the extraordinary power football has to get us on the edge of our seats.
Finally, we know this has been hugely unsettling at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year for us all.
Our aim is always to make the right decisions for this great football club, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. We didn’t make the right decision here, which we fully accept.
We have heard you.
The Arsenal Board
Chelsea confirm intent to leave European Super League
As reported earlier this evening, Chelsea Football Club can confirm that it has begun the formal procedures for withdrawal from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
Having joined the group late last week, we have now 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.
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