Gary Neville has accused Liverpool and his former club Manchester United of being 'big bullies' over the proposed plans for a European Premier League.
Reports emerged yesterday that a FIFA-backed tournament involving Europe's biggest football clubs - including the Reds - could begin and "reshape the sport's global landscape".
The Reds were said to be one of a number of clubs from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain said to be in negotiations about becoming founder members of the league, according to Sky News.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all named as clubs who could possibly take part in the competition alongside the current Premier League champions.
Responding to the idea on Sky Sports, Gary Neville criticised the idea of the big clubs putting together a 'super league' with as much as £4billion+ raised while many football league clubs are struggling to cope with the impact of coronavirus.
He said: “The big issue that I have with it, is that at this moment in time, in the middle of a pandemic and when football is on its knees at so many different levels, the idea that a $6bn package is being put together to set up a new league when lower clubs are scrambling around to pay wages and stay in existence.
"It's another wound for football. It doesn't feel like the right time to be talking about this."
This latest development comes after Project Big Picture - bold but controversial proposals to restructure English football, backed by Man United chiefs and Liverpool owners FSG - was rejected by teams from the top flight.
Neville suggests this European idea adds to the fire and makes two of the biggest clubs in the country look like big bullies who are putting their money in the wrong place.
Neville continued: "The leak probably doesn't suit Manchester United or Liverpool at this moment in time as they're seen as the big, bad bullies.
"I'm for progression of football, with new competitions and new formats, but we have got to look after the fabric of the game and what it means to the communities in this country.
"There is a position, potentially, for a new European League and for an amazing Premier League, a fantastically competitive EFL and funded grassroots and non-league football. There is enough money.
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"If they can pull $6bn together for a European league then they can pull together £150-200m to save the rest of football in this country.
"There is enough wealth in the game to look after all the key stakeholders.
"It's almost a tap-in for Manchester United, Liverpool and others to be able to say: 'There's £10m for non-league, there's a couple of hundred million rescue package for EFL clubs'.
“I don't get why we're not looking after the wider game, while having these discussions over $6bn debt packages with JP Morgan. It is obscene."
Although a number of details over how such a new European competition would work, it was suggested it would hope to begin in 2022 if it did happen and an official announcement was possible as soon as the end of this month.
The report suggests that FIFA have been involved in developing the new format with the top-placed teams playing in a knockout format to conclude the tournament.
One football industry figure told the broadcaster that this was "potentially the most important development in world club football for decades".
It is believed that the plan could yet fall apart and wouldn't be the first of its kind.
Gary Neville's colleague on Sky Sports and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher had a much more blunt response to the news.
He wrote on Twitter: “Oh f***off"
The Premier League have been approached for comment on the new reports.
Liverpool declined to comment, with the Reds having regularly seen their name linked to similar proposed “breakaways” in the past.
UEFA released an official statement on Tuesday night confirming their stance against any proposed new competition.
A statement on Tuesday night read: “The UEFA President has made it clear on many occasions that UEFA strongly opposes a Super League. The principles of solidarity, of promotion, relegation and open leagues are non-negotiable.
“It is what makes European football work and the Champions League the best sports competition in the world.
"UEFA and the clubs are committed to build on such strength not to destroy it to create a super league of 10, 12, even 24 clubs, which would inevitably become boring.”
