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
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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
Super League like Federer vs Nadal, says Perez
More from Real Madrid president Fiorentino Perez, per The Athletic:
Perez clings on to Super League hope
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the Super League is not finished yet.
Per The Athletic, Perez said: “Juventus and Milan have not left. Barca are thinking about it. Maybe we can change it a bit – that the top four in England enter, the top four in Spain. The important thing is that the big teams play each other, so the kids will watch football.”
Mason wants ‘good energy’ at Spurs after ESL decable
Interim Tottenham coach Ryan Mason wants to see a positive reaction from his players after the Super League chaos.
Well, they got off to a good start in that venture this evening, beating Southampton in Mason’s first game in charge.
Spurs coach Ryan Mason wants ‘good energy’ at club after Super League debacle
Interim boss led his old side to victory in his first game in charge, at home against Southampton
Serie A update
Juventus have turned around their match against Parma as they now lead 3-1.
Meanwhile, league leaders Inter remain 1-0 down to Spezia with just 15 minutes remaining.
Joe Glazer’s open letter
And this was Manchester United owner Joe Glazer’s open letter to the club’s fans:
Over the past few days, we have all witnessed the great passion which football generates, and the deep loyalty our fans have for this great club.
You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.
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 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.
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.
This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.
It is important for us to put that right.
Manchester United has a rich heritage and we recognise our responsibility to live up to its great traditions and values.
The pandemic has thrown up so many unique challenges and we are proud of the way Manchester United and its fans from Manchester and around the world have reacted to the enormous pressures during this period.
We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club.
In the background, you can be sure that we will be taking the necessary steps to rebuild relationships with other stakeholders across the game, with a view to working together on solutions to the long-term challenges facing the football pyramid.
Right now, our priority is to continue to support all of our teams as they push for the strongest possible finish to the season.
In closing, I would like to recognise that it is your support which makes this club so great, and we thank you for that.
With best regards,
Joel Glazer
John W Henry’s apology
A reminder of Liverpool owner John W Henry’s apology earlier today...
Similar story for Premier League ‘big six'
The English sides who were bidding to join the top six have also enjoyed a mixed 72 hours on the pitch since the original announcement on Sunday.
Liverpool conceded late to draw with Leeds. Chelsea then played out a thoroughly drab draw with Brighton. And Spurs only just narrowly came past Southampton with a 90th minute penalty earlier this evening.
Will Man City struggle as well? They are currently drawing 1-1 with Aston Villa.
Three Serie A Super League sides set for defeats
Juventus and Inter Milan are all currently being beaten in Serie A this evening. Ac Milan already lost today. They were the three Italian sides that were set to join the Super League.
Scores:
Spezia 1-0 Inter Milan
Juventus 0-1 Parma
Result:
Milan 1-2 Sassuolo
PSG chief replaces Juve’s Agnelli as chairman of ECA
Reuters report that Paris St Germain chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been elected chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), the body said on Wednesday, replacing Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli who quit on Sunday.
“I am honoured and humbled to have been appointed by my fellow ECA Executive Board Members as chairman,” Al-Khelaifi said in a statement.
“The leadership, integrity and togetherness of our organisation has never been more required than at this pivotal moment in European football.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments