Mirror Online: LONDON, England – The Super League project appears dead in the water as the six Premier League clubs involved withdrew less than 48 hours after it was officially announced – and we’ll bring you all the reaction and fallout
On a dramatic night yesterday, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea all confirmed they intended to withdraw from the project.
Breakaway European Super League founder and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli has now admitted that the league can no longer go ahead after six English clubs withdrew.
Asked whether the project could still happen after the exits, Agnelli told Reuters: “To be frank and honest no, evidently that is not the case.”
There is expected to be plenty of fallout today as the world reacts to the news that this controversial project is on the brink of collapse following an extraordinary day of events yesterday.
Mirror Football will be bringing you updates throughout the day on this fast-moving story…
Photo: irishmirror.ieUEFA is reportedly set to come under pressure from European Leagues and the European Club Association over their Champions League reforms.
The ECA no longer contains any figures representing the 12 clubs which attempted to launch the European Super League and, according to the Times, they will now attempt to force UEFA to rethink their reforms.
UEFA announced on Monday that their Executive Committee had approved a change in the format which is due to come into effect in the 2024/25 campaign.
Juventus have now released a new statement addressing the European Super League, which reads: “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.
“In this context, while Juventus remains convinced of the soundness of the project’s sport, commercial and legal premises, it believes that at present there are limited chances that the project be completed in the form originally conceived.
“Juventus remains committed to pursuing the creation of long-term value for the Company and the entire football industry.”
Sam Allardyce: “Unless we learn lessons quickly, we will see this again”
West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce has urged football’s governing bodies to “learn lessons quickly”, warning that “we will see this again”.
“Why would you want to desert the most watched and most entertaining league in the world?” he said. “It stinks of the American system. Three clubs are owned by Americans so you can see where it has come from.”
“Seen fans, public and 14 other clubs come out against something that shocked everyone. Lessons to be learned are for governing bodies.
“Unless we learn lessons quickly, we will see this again. It’s not a new idea. Bigger boys have tried to get bigger pot for many years.”
