European Super League: Borussia Dortmund will not join new competition

German club and Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich remain opposed to the tournament

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed they will not take part in the planned European Super League.

News emerged on Sunday around plans for a breakaway competition that would see 12 of the biggest clubs in Europe compete against one another, with other teams expected to join.

From the Premier League, Manchester United, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are set to be involved, while three La Liga and three Serie A sides are also due to feature.

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are the Spanish teams in question, with Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan being the Italian outfits.

Notable absentees from the competition, which has been met with widespread criticism, are Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and their chief domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke released a statement on Monday, addressing the proposed European Super League as well as plans around a Champions League revamp.

“The board members of the European Club Association (ECA) came together for a virtual meeting on Sunday evening, where it was agreed that the board’s decision from last Friday still stands,” Watzke said.

“This decision dictates that all clubs wish to implement the proposed reforms to the Uefa Champions League.

“The ECA board members took a clear stance in rejecting plans for the establishment of a Super League.’’

“Both German clubs on the ECA board, FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, shared exactly the same stance throughout all discussions.”

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be on the verge of joining the European Super League, though Ander Herrera – midfielder at the Ligue 1 club – hit out at plans for the competition on Monday.

The Football Associations in England, Spain and Italy – along with the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A – have threatened clubs who elect to join the European Super League with expulsion from domestic leagues.