Everton condemn 'preposterous arrogance' of Super League clubs

Everton have released a lengthy statement that condemns the proposed breakaway Super League and accuses the Premier League 'big six' of tarnishing the reputation of the game.

The Toffees are one of the 14 Premier League clubs looking on as chaos unfolds across European football. It's all geared around wanting to veer away from UEFA sanctioned competitions to set up a closed-door, rival product that allows its founding members to participate year after year against the best teams on the continent - without fear of relegation or promotion.

There has been widespread condemnation of the plans, with Everton now lending their voice to a chorus of clubs expressing their disgust. In a statement released on the club's website, they accused the Premier League participants of acting entirely in their own interests, betraying football supporters across the UK and beyond.

"Everton is saddened and disappointed to see proposals of a breakaway league pushed forward by six clubs," the statement read.

"Six clubs acting entirely in their own interests. Six clubs tarnishing the reputation of our league and the game. Six clubs choosing to disrespect every other club with whom they sit around the Premier League table. Six clubs taking for granted and even betraying the majority of football supporters across our country and beyond.

"At this time of national and international crisis - and a defining period for our game - clubs should be working together collaboratively with the ideals of our game and its supporters uppermost. Instead, these clubs have been secretly conspiring to break away from a football pyramid that has served them so well.

"And in that Pyramid Everton salutes EVERY club, be it Leicester City, Accrington Stanley, Gillingham, Lincoln City, Morecambe, Southend United, Notts County and the rest who have, with their very being, enriched the lives of their supporters throughout the game's history. And vice versa.

"The self-proclaimed Super Six appear intent on disenfranchising supporters across the game - including their own - by putting the very structure that underpins the game we love under threat. The backlash is understandable and deserved – and has to be listened to.

"This preposterous arrogance is not wanted anywhere in football outside of the clubs that have drafted this plan. On behalf of everyone associated with Everton, we respectfully ask that the proposals are immediately withdrawn and that the private meetings and subversive practises that have brought our beautiful game to possibly its lowest ever position in terms of trust end now.

"Finally we would ask the owners, chairmen, and Board members of the six clubs to remember the privileged position they hold – not only as custodians of their clubs but also custodians of the game. The responsibility they carry should be taken seriously.

"We urge them all to consider what they wish their legacy to be."