European Super League Controversy
Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have defended signing up to plans for a breakaway European Super League, but have been slammed by UEFA, the Premier League and UK Prime Minister.
The three North West clubs have joined Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham in agreeing to join the project, which will be governed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
An official statement was released at 11.20pm on Sunday night,18 April, 2021, confirming plans for the new league.
Outside of the UK, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus have also agreed to take part, though Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich hold reservations.
In a statement, Manchester United's co-chairman Joel Glazer, who will also be vice-chairman of the Super League, said:
"By bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider football pyramid."
The same statement was issued by Manchester City and Liverpool.
UEFA and the Premier League, however, have slammed the plans for a breakaway European Super League and insisted they will fight alongside the FA to block the project.
The Premier League issued the following statement:
"The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.
"Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best.
"We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream.
"The Premier League is proud to run a competitive and compelling football competition that has made it the most widely watched league in the world.
"Our success has enabled us to make an unrivalled financial contribution to the domestic football pyramid.
"A European Super League will undermine the appeal of the whole game, and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs, and all those in football who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.
“We will work with fans, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity and future prospects of English football in the best interests of the game."
Also commenting on the plans, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said that football clubs who have agreed to join a European Super League "must answer to their fans" before going ahead with the "very damaging" change.
Mr Johnson posted his views on social media criticising the prospect of six English clubs possibly joining a breakaway continental league stating that “plans for a European Super League would be very damaging for football and that the government supports football authorities in taking action, it strikes at the heart of the domestic game, it will be a concern to fans across the country to whom the clubs must answer”.
