By Government will do “whatever it takes” to stop European Super League
The government has said it will do “whatever it takes” to stop the controversial breakaway European Super League from going ahead.
The new league involves six English clubs. These are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham.
The 12 founding members of the league, which includes Real Madrid, would be permanent and never face relegation.
The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, told a Spanish TV show: “We are doing this to save football at this critical moment.
“Audiences are decreasing and rights are decreasing and something had to be done. We are all ruined. Television has to change so we can adapt.”
The European Super League would have 20 teams and another five sides would have to qualify each year for the competition.
Matches would take place midweek and rival the existing Champions League.
However, both FIFA and UEFA have condemned the new league, warning that players who play for teams in the ESL would be “banned from the World Cup and the Euros”.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has criticised the “big six” English clubs for “going against the very spirit of the game”.
He said that club owners “should remember that they are only temporary custodians of these clubs and that they forget fans at their peril.”
“We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening.
“We are examining every option from governance reform to competition law and mechanisms that allow football to take place.
“We will be reviewing everything Government does to support these clubs to play. We will do whatever it takes to protect our national game,” he said.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and President of the Football Association, said in a tweet: “Now, more than ever, we must protect the entire football community – from the top level to the grassroots – and the values of competition and fairness at its core.”
Now, more than ever, we must protect the entire football community – from the top level to the grassroots – and the values of competition and fairness at its core.
I share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love. W
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) April 19, 2021
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has also condemned the European Super League.
Plans for a European Super League would be very damaging for football and we support football authorities in taking action.
They would strike at the heart of the domestic game, and will concern fans across the country. (1/2)
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 18, 2021
The clubs involved must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps. (2/2)
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 18, 2021
