5 Premier League clubs sign up for breakaway European super league
An announcement is expected imminently on the formation of a new European Super League, despite statements from UEFA and the Premier League condemning the plans.
The news comes as a direct threat to UEFA's plans to revamp the Champions League from 2024, which was expected to be formally announced on Monday.
Now, though, it is being reported by The Times and others that five of the Premier League's biggest clubs have signed on for a separate competition that would take UEFA out of the equation.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are among 11 major European clubs who favour a European Super League to a reformatted Champions League. Man City are expected to join them, along with three clubs each from Spain and Italy.
PSG and Bayern Munich have both refused to join the project meaning only England, Italy and Spain will be represented.
?? Les 12 clubs qui ont donné leur accord pour la SuperLeague Européenne et qui devraient l’officialiser :
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) April 18, 2021
Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea,Tottenham, FC Barcelone, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan et la Juventus ! #RMCsport
The new league would comprise 20 teams: 15 founding members who cannot be relegated, and five teams who qualify annually. It wouldn't replace the Premier League or other domestic competitions, however - it would run alongside, similarly to how the Champions League currently works.
A statement from the Premier League reads: "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."
PL statement condemning Super League plans: “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.” https://t.co/wh3LrUS5Tm pic.twitter.com/s1UpQd2k6F
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 18, 2021
UEFA, meanwhile, released their own statement on behalf of governing bodies in England, Spain and Italy which called out the 'persistent self interest' of the clubs involved in breakaway plans.
"If this were to happen, we wish to reiterate that wewill remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project that is founded on the self-interest of a few clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever," it reads.