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
European Super League clubs set to lose at least £8m
European Super League clubs are set for a hefty financial hit after signing up to the doomed breakaway competition and withdrawing just two days later.
That is according to the Mail, who claim the 12 clubs will lose an initial £8m each, which is connected to equity stakes purchased in the Super League for a three-year commitment.
Further penalties could occur with the contracts signed last week likely to have clauses to financially punish teams for leaving so as to avoid what has transpired over the last 24 hours with the mass withdrawal.
Agnelli: English clubs withdrew over threat of government interference
Agnelli told Reuters: “I have had speculation to that extent that if six teams would have broken away and would have threatened the EPL (Premier League), politics would have seen that as an attack to Brexit and their political scheme.”
Agnelli: Other clubs asked to join European Super League
“I’m not going to say how many clubs contacted me in just 24 hours asking if they could join,” Agnelli told Reuters, but stopped at naming those clubs. “Maybe they lied, but I was contacted by a number of teams asking what they could do to join.”
Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid withdraw from European Super League
Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan have both announced their exit from the European Super League, leaving only three clubs standing – one of whom has already admitted the project is dead.
After Juventus president Andrea Agnelli this morning admitted the Super League could not go ahead without Premier League teams, and now Atletico and Inter pulling out, it leaves only Barcelona and Real Madrid, whose president Florentino Perez has been at the heart of the plans and is now left utterly humiliated.
In the latest grovelling statement from one a U-turning club, Inter said: “The club is no longer a member of the Super League project. We are always committed to giving the fans the best football experience; innovation and inclusion are part of our DNA.
Atletico and Inter quit Super League as plan crumbles
Only Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus are yet to officially withdraw from the Super League
Inter Milan withdraw from European Super League
A club statement read: “Inter confirms that the club is no longer a member of the Super League project. We are always committed to giving the fans the best football experience; innovation and inclusion are part of our DNA.
“Our commitment with all stakeholders to improve the football industry will never change.
“Inter believe that football, like any sector of activity, should have an interest in constantly improving its competitions, in order to continue to excite fans of all ages all over the world, within a framework of financial sustainability.
“With this vision we will continue to work together with institutions and all stakeholders for the future of the sport we all love.”
Atletico Madrid withdraw from European Super League
A club statement read: “The Atlético de Madrid Board of Directors, meeting this Wednesday morning, has decided to formally communicate to the Super League and the rest of the founding clubs its decision not to finally formalise its adherence to the project.
“Atlético de Madrid made the decision last Monday to join this project in response to circumstances that no longer exist today.
“For the club, harmony is essential between all the groups that make up the rojiblanca family, especially our fans.
“The first team squad and their coach have shown their satisfaction with the club's decision, understanding that sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria.”
Azpilicueta reacts to Chelsea withdrawing from Super League
Rio Ferdinand: ‘Where are you Ed?’
Rio Ferdinand has called on Ed Woodward and the owners of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ to answer questions over the doomed European Super League.
Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman announced his resignation on Tuesday following the controversial plans on Sunday to form a breakaway competition against the Uefa Champions League.
And following fan protests, the Red Devils joined the other five English clubs in confirming their withdrawal from the ESL.
Rio Ferdinand calls out Ed Woodward over European Super League role
The former Manchester United defender is upset with the outgoing executive vice-chairman at Old Trafford over his role in the controversial breakaway competition
Jorginho on Chelsea fans protesting before Brighton match
“It was different on the bus tonight. It was a different situation where the fans had the right to do what they think is best. The club see what the fans think. We just need to support and hope the club will do the right thing.”
BREAKING Juventus chairman concedes Super League can no longer go ahead
Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli admits the European Super League can no longer go ahead without the six Premier League teams.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all withdrew from the breakaway competition on Tuesday evening, just 48 hours after their plans were announced.
And the Juventus chairman has now conceded that without the six English sides, the competition can no longer go ahead.
Super League can no longer go ahead, founder admits
The Juventus chairman was one of the leading figures behind the breakaway competition
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