It’s official – Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal have ALL released statements confirming they have withdrawn from the European Super League.
After the BBC confirmed Chelsea were the first EPL club to pull out last night, the other five followed with statements of their own.
You can read these below, however it’s important to make one thing clear – this can’t go unpunished.
What these clubs attempted to do behind all of our backs was undoubtedly the most selfish, greedy and potentially catastrophic move we’ve ever seen in football. Let’s not forget, they only pulled out because it was a PR disaster!
Massive point deductions, transfer bans and no European football for a couple seasons is the least they deserve for a shameless power grab that attempted to spoil the beautiful game for the people that matters most – us fans.
Here are the statements released, with Chelsea’s yet to arrive following their game with Brighton last night:
Liverpool
Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued.
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.
Manchester United
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.
Manchester City
Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
Tottenham
We can confirm that we have formally commenced procedures to withdraw from the group developing proposals for a European Super League (ESL).
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.”
Arsenal
The last few days have shown us yet again the depth of feeling our supporters around the world have for this great club and the game we love.
We needed no reminding of this but the response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.
It was never our intention to cause such distress, however when the invitation to join the Super League came, while knowing there were no guarantees, we did not want to be left behind to ensure we protected Arsenal and its future.
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.
We know it will take time to restore your faith in what we are trying to achieve here at Arsenal but let us be clear that the decision to be part of the Super League was driven by our desire to protect Arsenal, the club you love, and to support the game you love through greater solidarity and financial stability.
Stability is essential for the game to prosper and we will continue to strive to bring the security the game needs to move forward.
The system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the game and harness the extraordinary power football has to get us on the edge of our seats.
Finally, we know this has been hugely unsettling at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year for us all.
Our aim is always to make the right decisions for this great football club, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. We didn’t make the right decision here, which we fully accept.
We have heard you.
The Arsenal Board
The European Super League lasted all of 48 hours.
It’s over. Let’s hope the punishments are about to begin.
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Tottenham are almost trying to justify signing up for the league….unbeliebabke
Tiptree geordie(Quote)
These clubs owners all passed the test to be owners yet the consortium wanting to buy us couldn’t pass it disgraceful they should all be banned from owning them now and force them to sell or at least Jamar punishment is due for their greed
William Maloy(Quote)
Let’s not kid ourselves. If we were offered a place in that greedfest .our owner (I cant even say his name ) would have us there in a heartbeat and would make no apologises.
Iain(Quote)