Plans for a European Super League were broken on Tuesday, just two days after the football competition proposal was announced.
How it went down: Manchester City, one of six clubs in the English Premier League that joined the twelve-team pro-independence league, were the first to confirm their departure.
- Within hours, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool announced that they were also leaving.
- Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid continued, leaving the remaining clubs (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan) with little choice but to abandon the proposal.
- Just after midnight in Europe, the Superliga issued an official statement confirming that the project had been suspended.
What they say:
- Arsenal: “We made a mistake and apologize.”
- Tottenham: “We regret the anxiety and discomfort caused by the ESL proposal.”
- Manchester United: “We’ve listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.”
- Liverpool: “I want to apologize to all Liverpool Football Club fans and supporters for the disruption I have caused over the last 48 hours,” owner John Henry said in a video address.
The state of play: The Superliga, which would have altered the structures and economy of football, received outrage. Players he spoke on the contrary, fans launched protests and politicians threatened legal action.
- FIFA and UEFA, which oversees football in Europe, have threatened to ban Super League players from world events such as the World Cup. “Either you’re there, or you’re out,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
- The Super League did no favors with its surprisingly poor pitching strategy. Outside of Florentino Pérez of Real Madrid, the owners never faced the press and the lack of planning is really noticeable.
- Own note: when a proposal is submitted to remodel the most popular sport in the world, come equipped with more than one press release.
What follows: An ongoing plan for years fell dramatically in two days. Now what?
- There is a feeling that the Premier League could be irreparably damaged. “How can we get back to working with these people?” a source told The Athletic (subscription).
- And if the clubs really signed 23-year-old binding agreements, as reported, can they simply be withdrawn or is it more complicated? Will UEFA welcome them? Will their national leagues punish them?