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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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
‘A toxic endeavour’: How Super League went from breakaway to breakdown
As the news spread around boardrooms, and some ashen-faced officials realised the European Super League project was starting to collapse, the true meaning of it all could - fittingly - be seen on the streets and among the people.
Thousands of Chelsea supporters had gathered around Stamford Bridge to vociferously protest the plans when it suddenly went quiet. Shortly before 7pm, the word came through that the club were preparing to withdraw from the project.
The reaction was a moment to behold. It was celebrated as joyously as any goal, but it was really so much more. It was a victory.
It was a testament to the power of fans, given Manchester City and Chelsea were so convinced by the emotion of their own supporters.
It was also the start of one of the most remarkable single hours the game has ever known, a whirlwind of sensational developments that brought a staggering three days to a head.
‘A toxic endeavour’: How Super League went from breakaway to breakdown
A staggering 72 hours for the game has seen clubs try to force a move to a new competition only to see fan backlash and outcry see it stutter and stumble towards collapse
Jurgen Klopp ‘destroyed Liverpool owners on national television’, claims Gary Neville
Gary Neville has claimedLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp “destroyed his owners on national television” over the club’s plans for a breakaway European Super League.
Klopp haslong since spoken out against the prospect of such a tournament, which goes against the traditional structures of European football, stating in 2019 that he hoped it would “never” happen.
Jurgen Klopp ‘destroyed Liverpool owners on national television’, claims Gary Neville
The German manager hit out at plans for the breakaway European Super League, which has been led by the Reds’ owner John W Henry
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