Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all withdrew from the European Super League in a dramatic 48 hours in football.
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When the European Super League was announced, 12 major clubs from the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy were part of it. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were the Premier League clubs involved. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were the La Liga sides. Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan were the Serie A teams.
The announcement that these 12 sides were going to form a breakaway league sparked furious reactions. Fans protested, messages of RIP Football and various commentators slammed the clubs. UEFA and Government ministers were condemning the club. The reactions and protests has taken a toll. In the last 48 hours, the developments have been huge.
According to several reports, the six Premier League clubs have decided to withdraw from the European Super League.
Manchester City were the first to pull out of the European Super League. The club stated that they have formally begun the procedures to withdraw. Arsenal, in an open letter to fans, apologized and stated they had ‘made a mistake.’ Chelsea was preparing documents for a legal withdrawal.
Manchester United have also confirmed that they made the decision after listening to stakeholders, fans and the government. Liverpool said their involvement in the European Super League is ‘discontinued’. Tottenham Hotspur chairman expressed regret over the involvement.
Chelsea fans staged a dramatic protest outside of the stadium ahead of the match against Brighton. It needed Petr Cech, considered one of the legends of the club, to come out and calm the anger. Many football players, even from the six clubs, expressed their apprehensions. In an episode on Sky Sports, Manchester United legend Gary Neville said he is ‘disgusted’ at the developments.
The other major developments were the announcement that Ed Woodward, Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman, will step down from his role at the end of 2021.
No statement has been issued by the clubs from Spain and Italy. Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid football club and the chairman of the European Super League, remained defiant. Prior to this development, UEFA had announced reforms in the Champions League. This included a 36-team competition that would begin from the 2024/25 season.
