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
Juventus reluctantly quit European Super League
Juventus have reluctantly conceded that they are out of the European Super League due to the mass withdrawal of clubs this week.
After the ‘Big Six’ Premier League teams departed on Tuesday night, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid followed, with a vague statement from AC Milan and now the Old Lady effectively joining the mass exodus to leave just Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But despite admitting the project had failed in the original form it was conceived, the Italian champions vowed to continue “pursuing the creation of long-term value for the Company and the entire football industry”.
A statement read: “With reference to the press release published by Juventus Football Club S.p.A. on 19 April 2021, relating to the proposed creation of the Super League, and the ensuing public debate, the issuer clarifies to be aware of the request and intentions otherwise expressed by certain clubs to withdraw from this project, although the necessary procedures envisaged by the agreement among the clubs have not been completed.
Juventus reluctantly quit European Super League
The club has echoed the views of chairman Andrea Agnelli after plans to form a breakaway competition collapsed
FSA: The fight is not over yet
The Football Supporters Federation (FSA) has reiterated the need to fight back against owners to wrestle back control for fans, a statement reads: “The past 72 hours of white hot action and anger has killed domestic involvement in the Super League but that doesn’t mean fans can take their foot off the accelerator – a return to the status quo is unacceptable.”
Juventus release statement over European Super League
A statement from the Italian champions read: “With reference to the press release issued by Juventus Football Club SpA on 19 April 2021, relating to the project to create the Super League, and the subsequent public debate, the Issuer specifies that it is aware of the request and intentions otherwise expressed by some clubs to withdraw from this project, although the necessary procedures under the agreement between the clubs have not been completed.
“In this context, Juventus, while remaining convinced of the validity of the sporting, commercial and legal assumptions of the project, believes that it currently has limited possibilities of being completed in the form in which it was initially conceived.
“Juventus remains committed to building long-term value for the club and for the entire football movement.”
AC Milan issue statement on European Super League
A statement read: “We accepted the invitation to participate in the Super League project with the genuine intention to deliver the best possible European competition for football fans around the world and in the best interest of the club and our own fans. Change is not always easy, but evolution is necessary for progress, and the structures of European football have evolved and changed over the decades.
“However, the voices and the concerns of fans around the world have clearly been expressed about the Super League, and AC Milan must be sensitive to the voice of those who love this wonderful sport.
“We will continue to work hard to deliver a sustainable model for football.”
Nicky Butt: 'What happened is the worst case of bullying from powerful people’
Nicky Butt reacts to the European Super League: “I don’t think apologies are too great anyway, what happened should not have happened. What happened is the worst case of bullying from powerful people, whether they apologise or not is irrelevant to me.
“It’ll take a hell of a long time [for the clubs to regain the fans’ trust]. It’ll be very, very difficult. That’s something they have to work out.”
Ronald Koeman speaks out over Barcelona’s position on European Super League
“I spoke with president yesterday, he explained the club’s position. But a lot changed since yesterday. Best not to say much now, no one knows what will happen. What I want most is what’s best for this club.”
33 of the best memes and jokes about unravelling of the European Super League
Plans for the controversial European Super League lay in tatters on Wednesday, after the six English teams involved in the breakaway league pulled out following a universal backlash.
Fans, pundits, players and managers would have directly been affected by the league, which aimed to replace the Champions League with a set competition of 20 teams, 15 of which would not be relegated regardless of results.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were all set to be involved in the league but, slowly on Tuesday, all began to back away and confirm they would no longer be taking part. Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid dropped out on Wednesday morning leaving the future of The Super League in serious doubt.
As a result, the six English teams have issued statements with some apologising for attaching their names to the scheme. Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman of Man Utd, has also resigned and will leave the role at the end of the year.
As it stands, just, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus remain but there are rumours that even some of those teams have their own concerns and trepidations about the project. In fact, Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, one of the masterminds behind the project, has suggested it can no longer go ahead.
33 of the best memes and jokes about unravelling of the European Super League
Plans for the controversial European Super League lay in tatters on Wednesday, after the six English teams involved in the breakaway league pulled out following a universal backlash.
‘OK, bye’: Premier League players react to Super League’s collapse
Premier League players celebrated the demise of the European Super League after six English clubs withdraw from the competition less than 48 hours after its announcement, bringing the entire project to its knees.
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has now admitted the project is effectively dead without Premier League input, while Atletico and Inter have become the latest clubs to flee the sinking ship.
Raheem Sterling was one of the highest profile players to speak out, with a simple “OK, bye” to the Super League, a competition which his club Manchester City signed up to, but about which his manager Pep Guardiola made clear on Tuesday the squad were left totally in the dark.
‘OK, bye’: Premier League players react to Super League’s collapse
Players across the Premier League celebrated the news of the Super League’s collapse on social media
EFL: The pyramid must be protected above all
The EFL welcomes the decision made by six English Premier League teams to withdraw intentions to join a European Super League.
With widespread opposition met at home and abroad, including from the EFL, these divisive proposals threatened the sporting principles of the football pyramid that our founding members pioneered over a century ago.
Across the globe, people in and outside of the game spoke up when it counted. The EFL is heartened by the response and remain proud to be part of a unified footballing system that promotes open competition, gives everybody a chance to dream and continues to inspire generations of young people in the communities from where our Clubs take their name.
The message is clear that the pyramid must be protected above all. The European Super League failed in part due to a model of distorted and unfair financial distributions, a criticism that can also be levelled at the current financial model in our own domestic game.
The EFL hopes the same enthusiasm can be immediately directed to achieve appropriate and much needed change to the distribution of wealth in our domestic leagues, and we will work with all parties to push for this reform.
By resetting economically, we can support all Clubs in achieving a sustainable future, promoting the principles that so many have fought for.
Reforms must also consider UEFA’s own Champions League restructuring which pose an existential threat to our competitions, including the League Cup, which provides vital income to EFL Clubs and is the breeding ground for stars of the future.
The EFL will embrace the Government’s fan-led review and confirm we will contribute fully to help shape any decisions taken and ensure they are made in the best interests of supporters and the Clubs that we represent.
Dowden backs ‘German model’ for English clubs in ownership restructure
Sports secretary Oliver Dowden has backed English clubs embracing the “German model” for football to hand fans a minimum 51% stake in their clubs.
As a result of the fierce backlash to the European Super League plans, Dowden is a fan of English clubs adopting the model seen in Germany.
“They talked about the German model - German clubs didn’t take part in this, that’s because fans had the greater stake in it,” he said.
“We’ve seen over time fans stake in clubs erode, I think its important we look at that to give fans greater influence and control.”
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