All six Premier League clubs bowed to supporter pressure and have withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL).
As per reports, Manchester City was the first club to pull out after Chelsea signalled their intent to do so by preparing documentation to withdraw. Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal all followed suit and confirmed they intended to withdraw from the project.
Italian side Inter Milan are also set to withdraw as they no longer wish to be involved with the project. BBC Sport reported that bosses at the Serie A club are preparing for their exit following the dramatic developments.
The 12-team Super League, set up by the seven aforementioned teams and Spain’s Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid and Italy’s AC Milan and Juventus was announced on Sunday to widespread condemnation.
“Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure put on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations,” the ESL said on Wednesday, adding it was “convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change”.
In an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli said the remaining clubs will “press ahead” and the project still had “a 100% chance of being a success”.
Balague also says Atletico Madrid are meeting on Wednesday morning to review their position.
Prince William, who is president of the Football Association (FA), also expressed his concern over the “damage” the plans risk causing to “the game we love”.
“Now, more than ever, we must protect the entire football community – from the top level to the grassroots – and the values of competition and fairness at its core.” wrote William on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s official Twitter account. “I share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.”
William’s intervention comes as the royal family continues to mourn the death of his grandfather Prince Philip, whose funeral was held on Saturday.
Fans of the “Big Six” Premier League teams were left upset and disappointed by the Super League announcement, having not been informed of the plans. Coaches and players were also not aware of the situation.
In the hours following the confirmation of the Super League, fans of the Premier League “Big Six” took to their stadiums to protest the announcement, with Liverpool fans hanging banners and flags outside of Anfield.
Chelsea supporters then voiced their concerns at Stamford Bridge in numbers prior to their Premier League game against Brighton.
Liverpool supporters’ groups also made the decision to remove their flags from The Kop, protesting the owners’ decision to “put financial greed above integrity of the game”.
