“In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.”
The clubs have been unable to ignore the backlash
Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have joined Manchester City in performing the most spectacular of humiliating backtracks, as all four sides announced late on Tuesday night that they had decided against participating in the touted Super League.
The so-called ‘Big Six’ were among 12 of Europe’s wealthiest sides who announced on Sunday evening that they would be forming a breakaway tournament called the Super League, from which none of the ‘founding clubs’ could be relegated.
However, whatever plans the clubs had for their new vision of football were quickly scuppered by a collective public reaction rarely seen in the modern day, with public opinion on the idea instantly both negative and outraged.
All 12 clubs had clearly misread the room, perhaps blinded by their own egos, but fans spoke, players spoke, pundits spoke, politicians spoke, even commercial sponsors spoke, and in the end, the clubs themselves spoke out to confirm that they would no longer be taking part.
The statements from all sides were short and sweet.
Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 20, 2021
Liverpool said: “Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued.
We will not be participating in the European Super League.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 20, 2021
Manchester United said: “Manchester United will not be participating in the European Super League.
“We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.
“We remain committed to working with others across the football community to come up with sustainable solutions to the long-term challenges facing the game.”
Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy said: “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal. We felt it was important that our club participated in the development of a possible new structure that sought to better ensure financial fair play and financial sustainability whilst delivering significantly increased support for the wider football pyramid.
“We believe that we should never stand still and that the sport should constantly review competitions and governance to ensure the game we all love continues to evolve and excite fans around the world.
“We should like to thank all those supporters who presented their considered opinions.”
And Arsenal said this.
As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League.
We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 20, 2021
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