Europe’s Rebel Soccer League Collapses After Fans Demand Exit
LONDON (Dispatches) - Europe’s rebel soccer league crumbled just days after its launch as teams pulled out amid fury from the sport’s authorities, politicians and fans.
Juventus Chairman Andrea Agnelli, one of the leading architects of the European Super League, said the project will no longer go ahead, according to a spokesman. Earlier the league had said it was considering "appropriate steps to reshape the project.”
The collapse was inevitable after all six English clubs involved pulled out of the project late on Tuesday. The Premier League is home to some of the world’s most marketable clubs, and generates billions in sponsorship and broadcasting revenue.
Among the six clubs, Manchester United said it had "listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.” Chelsea Football Club said it withdrew after considering "the best interests of the club, our supporters or the wider football community.” Chelsea’s withdrawal came amid a protest from fans at its London stadium.
While Manchester City had been the first to go, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool also followed.
The planned breakaway kicked off a battle with governing body UEFA and national leagues, and prompted interventions from leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. While ostensibly over plans to take the cream from Europe’s most prestigious competition - the Champions League - the fight is also about control of a sport whose finances have been hammered by the pandemic, and the biggest clubs want more money.
Juventus Chairman Andrea Agnelli, one of the leading architects of the European Super League, said the project will no longer go ahead, according to a spokesman. Earlier the league had said it was considering "appropriate steps to reshape the project.”
The collapse was inevitable after all six English clubs involved pulled out of the project late on Tuesday. The Premier League is home to some of the world’s most marketable clubs, and generates billions in sponsorship and broadcasting revenue.
Among the six clubs, Manchester United said it had "listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders.” Chelsea Football Club said it withdrew after considering "the best interests of the club, our supporters or the wider football community.” Chelsea’s withdrawal came amid a protest from fans at its London stadium.
While Manchester City had been the first to go, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool also followed.
The planned breakaway kicked off a battle with governing body UEFA and national leagues, and prompted interventions from leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. While ostensibly over plans to take the cream from Europe’s most prestigious competition - the Champions League - the fight is also about control of a sport whose finances have been hammered by the pandemic, and the biggest clubs want more money.