I’m going to wrap this blog up now with news that the botched attempt to form a European Super League could have ramifications for Uefa’s proposals for (a frankly rubbish) revamp of the Champions League. To appease the mega-rich clubs Uefa proposed awarding some places to clubs based on historical performances. Ed Aarons reports that opposition to that idea from clubs outside of the 12 who wanted to form a European Super League has led to Uefa considering scrapping this idea. I’ll leave you to read it for yourself. Thanks for all your tweets and emails. Bye!
Updated
There’s a helluva game in the WSL kicking off at 6pm (BST), when leaders Chelsea travel to second-placed Manchester City, who can leapfrog them with a win. And there are only two games remaining after this evening’s ding-dong clash. You can get across the title-decider here with Simon Burnton’s minute-by-minute report. Oof!
It’s been some week for Spurs and fans are protesting loudly outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the club’s ownership by ENIC International and Daniel Levy’s leadership. What a debut for 29-year-old interim manager Ryan Mason! Scott Murray is covering the game (and buildup to it) here:
Snap reaction to that Glazer apology from a United fan:
@GreggBakowski Joel Glazer statement is 16 years too late. He claims he wants to 'rebuild trust' (there wasn't any) and 'better communicate with the fans' (he never has communicated with the fans). It is the ultimate 'sorry I got caught' tactic. Time's up. They need to go now.
— Tom Smart (@T_Smart10) April 21, 2021
Neil Hawkins: “The statement from Joel Glazer is pure PR stunt. They’ve had all these years to build a relationship with the fans and never done it. It’s been drafted by a comms team and he’s sent an email saying go ahead, it means nothing unless actions follow. Who they choose to replace Woodward will speak volumes.”
Andrew Benton: “These apologies are not to the fans, they’re to the UK government in order to influence the review, in which the owners could lose out reaaaaally big time. Boris actually did a good thing by getting involved - never thought I’d say that about the unkempt blond one - and now they can’t get him and the review off their backs. Which is good. Let’s hope it puts the power back in the fans hands and brings football back to the community-focused game it was and should be.”
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Mary Waltz emails in: “A root and branch review. The fact that Boris Johnson is proposing something that I completely agree with is almost as stunning as the collapse of the Super League. The big question is this. Will the review lead to actual legislation that makes another attempt to install a NFL style franchise scheme impossible by law. I would normally assume that the Tory party would never crack down on potential corporate money sources; there is one flicker of hope I am leaning on. Boris is a cynical, yet savvy reader of the political winds. If he can present himself as the Guardian and protector of the English football tradition he can guarantee victory in the next election. A study without effective legislation is pointless. Will Boris pull the trigger?” Only time will tell, Mary. And readers, if you have any suggestions as to how football ownership can be improved (yes, there’s a lot to go at), then tell us here:
It’s rare that the Glazers ever directly communicate with fans. It kind of reads like a rewrite of what John W Henry said to Liverpool supporters. Manchester United fans: what do you make of it? “We failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions –promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.” The Glazers have owned United since 2005. If they haven’t “got” European football by now, will they ever? Also, could the dip in share price since the announcement of Ed Woodward’s departure be the reason Joel has stuck his head above the parapet in an attempt to show some leadership?
Joel Glazer apologises! 'We got it wrong'
The Manchester United co-owner Joel Glazer has written an open letter to supporters:
To all Manchester United supporters, over the past few days, we have all witnessed the great passion which football generates, and the deep loyalty our fans have for this great club.
You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.
Although the wounds are raw and I understand that it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.
We continue to believe that European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.
In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions –promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.
This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.
It is important for us to put that right.
Manchester United has a rich heritage and we recognise our responsibility to live up to its great traditions and values.
The pandemic has thrown up so many unique challenges and we are proud of the way Manchester United and its fans from Manchester and around the world have reacted to the enormous pressures during this period.
We also realise that we need to better communicate with you, our fans, because you will always be at the heart of the club.
In the background, you can be sure that we will be taking the necessary steps to rebuild relationships with other stakeholders across the game, with a view to working together on solutions to the long-term challenges facing the football pyramid.
Right now, our priority is to continue to support all of our teams as they push for the strongest possible finish to the season.
In closing, I would like to recognise that it is your support which makes this club so great, and we thank you for that.
With best regards,
Joel Glazer.
“It strikes me from the differing comments on the blog and from Agnelli and Perez that the way to grow more fans would be to ensure that more live European and domestic football on free to air TV is what they need,” tweets Benjamin Hendy. “Cricket appears to have realised this, with the recent England series and upcoming Hundred (ugh) getting free to air coverage. Sensible to ensure at least one package of games goes free to air going forward. Treat it as a loss leader – less income but more fans.” The problem is that I believe the popularity of football among young people is not a problem and was just a disingenuous reason to try and push the Super League plans. More football on free-to-air TV would be great, mind.
“It’s interesting that the website – https://thesuperleague.com/#who_we_are – is offered in five languages (English, Spanish, German, French and Italian),” writes Colm. “A good indication of the clubs they wanted in (and out) of the competition?” Perhaps, though given they wanted to appeal to the global market I would have thought the languages should have been appealing to Asia, too. What strikes me is how quickly that website has aged. It’s like looking at Myspace.
Adrian Chiles reckons a Super League will happen eventually, because it is what armchair fans want. And football cash is most plentiful in living rooms.
Boris Johnson has promised a “root-and-branch” review into the way football is run will consider how to boost the role of fans. The Conservatives aren’t generally big on regulation but they do like popularity. Only time will tell whether anything comes of the review to be carried out by former sports minister, Tracey Crouch. At prime minister’s questions Johnson said the European Super League proposals would have taken clubs from English towns and cities and turned them “just into global brands with no relation to the fans, to the communities that gave them life and that give them the most love and support. That was, in my view, totally wrong, to say nothing of the lack of competition.” Plans under consideration also include an Ofcom-style regulator for the sport, ministers have indicated following the European Super League debacle.
Updated
Hello again! It’s 4pm, so it’s the perfect time for, erm, The Fiver!
That’s me done, Gregg Bakowski is back to guide you through the rest of the day. Please enjoy this delicious article about JP Morgan, the financial backers of the ESL, having their sustainability rating downgraded from from ‘adequate’ to ‘non-compliant’ in light of the Super League toppling over. Adios!
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“Has anyone noticed that the Super League’s logo (Ø) is actually the null sign in math?” asks Tom Taylor. “Which means emptiness.”
The silence from Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has been notable. Laporta is reportedly meeting with the club’s captains, including Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué, later today. We have, however, recently heard from the manager, Ronald Koeman as well as Piqué.
Koeman: “Everybody is talking about a Super League or a [new] Champions League or a different way of playing in Europe. UEFA is talking a lot, but it is not doing or listening to the football people, not the managers or the players, about the number of games. Most important for them is the money. Even in Spain, the number of games we need to play - tomorrow we play at 10 pm - all of that is not always in a positive way for the players. I think that’s the most important. It’s normal to think about the future of football but first of all they have to protect the football players.”
Piqué: “From a player’s point of view, I would say it’s not a positive decision for football in the long-term. Do we want this for football? That Sevilla, Valencia, Everton, Leicester, Napoli etc disappear? Because those clubs are, moving forward, going to be worth nothing.”
We’ve also had a statement from La Liga president Javier Tebas.
“The Super League has made a fool of itself and its concept has shown the absolute ignorance of its leaders in relation to the industry and fans across the globe. When you do something in secret, what you’re hiding usually isn’t good.”
Two ‘older’ fans, who I’m sure are still young at heart.
“Agnelli & co have not just mis-judged the young fans”, emails Laurence Dollard. “I’m a 39 year old Liverpool supporter. I can’t justify subscribing to any sports TV package due to the high cost - it is so prohibitive. So I follow my team via the MBM reports and the YouTube highlights. This is not out of choice, I would love to watch a full live game but I have been priced out of it.”
This, from Samuel Evans.
“As a dad of a 14 year old Chelsea supporter (Palace fan myself, not going to go into how much it still hurts that he doesn’t support Palace) I’d like to weigh in on a few things. He loves his football as much as I did 30 years ago, and although I could afford to go to the odd game back when the Prem started my family couldn’t afford the Sky subscription then and I can’t afford it now! Like I did with my dad, we watch Match of the Day every week and we watch YouTube clips of the Champions League. Once a year for his birthday we might be able to get a ticket to see Chelsea at home. I earn a fairly decent wage, but football these days has turned into a luxury. Finally, I was quite emotional when I saw the relief on my son’s face when I told him Chelsea had pulled out of the ESL.”
Jamie Jackson on Ed Woodward.
Koke, captain of Atlético, tweets:
“We want to express our satisfaction at the final decision taken by our club to withdraw from the Super League project. We will continue fighting to help Atléti grow through the values of effort and sporting merit that have always characterised us so that all of you continue to see yourself reflected in those signs of identity.”
An article and an email on actual football, to cleanse the timeline.
“Robson’s words caused me to reflect about the first time I entered a football stadium,” writes Sam Dennis. “I’m an Arsenal fan but, as a fourteen year old, I was living and refereeing in the south of France and got invited to be a member of the ballboy team for Toulouse v Valenciennes in Ligue 1. The size and all-round grandeur of the place and moment struck me instantly. We got told we were using the same changing rooms Maradona had once used and Jérémy Mathieu shouted at me, causing the whole stadium to boo me (there was already a ball on the pitch so I didn’t give in). It was electric and I was hooked. I went to every one of Toulouse’s home matches for the next three years and even got to see them play Liverpool in UCL qualifying. For all it’s hideous flaws, football’s quite nice really.”
Florentino Pérez: “16-24 year old fans aren’t interested in football.”
Andrea Agnelli: “The Super League simulates what young people do on digital platforms in competition with Call of Duty, Fifa or Fortnite.”
They’ve spectacularly missed the point here, which these two emails illustrate.
“Hello, 22 year old Spurs fan here,” emails Matt Fry. “I think there is an argument that young people aren’t as engaged in football as previous generations, but the reason for that isn’t because it’s not exciting, it’s because I can barely afford a TV licence, let alone 3 different subscriptions. I’ve only ever been to Spurs games when my dad has paid. The idea that the solution is to make yet another competition on yet another streaming service is insane, football is so massively inaccessible to people my age and the ESL will only make it worse. Add to that the language that Perez and Agnelli have been using to describe us, as inattentive and replaceable, it’s just going to drive us away even more. Time to start supporting my local 6th tier team I think!”
Another email, from George Pritchard.
“I’ve been following the Guardian live text of the ESL the past few days and I’m struck by how often the architects of the league are saying the ESL is intended to appeal to young people. I’m 24, so still pretty young, and me and my friends are all passionate football supporters who don’t want the ESL. I think maybe the fact I work full time as a railway engineer (a decent enough job I like to think) and simply can’t afford the football subscription services may be a clue as to the actual reason young people are watching less football.”
There are loads more videos, quotes and images on our Instagram page, if you want to give us a follow.
I enjoyed this, from last week.
If you don’t fancy that, you can always sign up to the Fiver, our daily tea-time (free) football email.
Updated
This is good from Ian Wright, who after relaying his relief about the withdrawal of English clubs from the ESL, makes a very valid point about using the same energy of fans to mobilise in the fight against racism, and other causes that aren’t directly related to money. Patrick Bamford made a similar point on Monday night, following Leeds’ draw with Liverpool. There are lots of issues in this country that need tackling with the same collective verve that we have seen in the past three days.
We heard from the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust earlier, and here are the takes from the respective parties at Arsenal and Manchester United. Spoiler alert: it’s not great reading for either owners.
Akhil Vyas, a board member of the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust:
“He’s been such an absent owner that he will probably just hide like an absolute coward like he has been doing all week, hoping that it just blows over,” Vyas told PA when asked about Kroenke. “There’s a lot of noise on social media protests and around London but I’m not sure how much Stan Kroenke cares or will see of it. They’ll be hoping it just goes away, but I’m hoping it doesn’t and I’m hoping this can really be used as a catalyst - there’s a famous Ivan Gazidis line from a few years ago when he called for a ‘catalyst for change’, well I think this is a catalyst for change, not just for Arsenal fans but for football fans. We absolutely dislike, hate is a strong word, but we really, really dislike our owners. It’s an absolute lack of respect for fans - he is not interested in any of this stuff we have spoken about and that is why he is the wrong owner.”
Duncan Drasdo, the chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust:
“It is important to separate the football club and the owners because this decision was taken solely by the owners. So I think it’s going to have to come from the owners’ official statement. I think it’s appropriate, if there is going to be an apology, that it comes directly from them. I think if there isn’t an apology from the owners then obviously that’s going to be a kind of open sore that’s being pointed to for years to come. We don’t just want to see a change of ownership for the sake of it. But we don’t want the kind of owner that wants to use the club, purely to make money for themselves. And so that has to change. Arguably, their exit started as soon as they floated on the stock exchange and started to reduce their shareholding, it means there is an opportunity to do something that might actually change the path of their legacy. If they actually did something where they actually helped the supporters to take on ownership and there’s a mechanism to do that.”
“As a Barcelona resident and fan of 30 years standing, I can assure you that FCB was never going to part of this scam,” emails Shaun Pilgrem. “FCB is owned by it’s fans, and there is no way they would ever vote for anything bankrolled by Perez, not even Independence for Catalunya. Laporta is smart, and FCB’s adherence to the con was conditioned by the culés approval, which wasn’t ever going to happen. Win win for Laporta, and Perez looks like the greedy crook that he is.”
While I would agree with most of the above, the fact that they are still officially involved with the ESL is very surprising. It is nearly 20 hours since news first broke of the first English team withdrawing and yet here they are, hanging on. The longer they do that, the bigger the chasm will be between themselves and the rest of La Liga. They might need the Super League dosh to help with their debt, but this is a doomed project. It makes no sense to cling on when there is still the smallest ounce of face to be saved by not being the last club to withdraw.
Two years ago, Schalke were playing football against Manchester City in the knockout stage of the Champions League. Now …
Two emails of contrasting tone.
“It got a bit lost in all the hubbub last night,” writes Ben Blatch-Hanlon, “but I thought these words of the late, great Sir Bobby Robson were particularly poignant at this moment:
What is a club in any case? Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it. It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes.
It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city. It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.”
The second email is from Robin Lindop Fisher.
“Wow, that Agnelli quote from the Nicky Bandini article about “the young people of today who are destined to become the spenders of tomorrow” really does say it all doesn’t it?! If this is how he perceives the concept of ‘destiny’ then it’s hardly a surprise that this was his vision for the future of football.”
Not strictly ESL related, but the women’s and men’s football draw for the Tokyo Olympics this summer took place earlier today. Team GB women have thankfully avoided a horrible looking group containing World Cup winners USA, World Cup semi-finalists Sweden and the Sam Kerr-led Matildas. Oooof.
⚔️ The draw for the Men's #OlympicFootball Tournament has thrown up some intriguing clashes!#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/aWBvZJw3Zq
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) April 21, 2021
Just like a 12th man coming out after lunch for an afternoon in the field, I’m full of sandwiches and crisps and ready to be heckled. Emails and tweets to the usual places, please.
Here’s Nicky Bandini on Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, with a video to match.
Asked if the European Super League can still go ahead, Andrea Agnelli replies: 'I think, to be frank and honest: no … I don't think that project is now still up and running' pic.twitter.com/K8FSv4DIsC
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) April 21, 2021
Hi again, Michael here. Are we all excited about Real Madrid v Real Madrid Castilla this autumn?! I know I am.
Right, Michael is back from his lunch and ready to guide you through the afternoon’s developments. In the meantime have a read of these views on the ESL from the USA:
Juventus admit ESL has 'limited possibilities of being completed'
Juve have released a statement but, unlike Milan, who referenced the need to listen to opposition, they say they are still convinced the project is valid and other clubs’ withdrawals are not yet completed (presumably because there are legal issues).
With reference to the press release issued by Juventus Football Club on 19 April 2021, relating to the project to create the Super League, and the subsequent public debate, the Issuer specifies that it is aware of the request and intentions otherwise expressed by some clubs to withdraw from this project, although the necessary procedures under the agreement between the clubs have not been completed. In this context, Juventus, while remaining convinced of the validity of the sporting, commercial and legal assumptions of the project, believes that it currently has limited possibilities of being completed in the form in which it was initially conceived. Juventus remains committed to building long-term value for the club and for the entire football movement.
It’s understood that Chelsea have no intention of making any changes in their boardroom after withdrawing from the European Super League despite calls from the Supporters’ Trust for chairman Bruce Buck and CEO Guy Laurence to leave the club. Chelsea’s fans protested outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night before the draw against Brighton and that is believed to have had a major influence on the decision to pull out of the breakaway league.
And then there were three: Milan are out!
Here’s the official statement. You’ll see that it’s short and there is no apology. As some readers have pointed out they have also not explicitly said they have turned their back on it completely but “must be sensitive”. Pitiful.
We accepted the invitation to participate in the Super League project with the genuine intention to deliver the best possible European competition for football fans around the world and in the best interest of the club and our own fans. Change is not always easy, but evolution is necessary for progress, and the structures of European football have evolved and changed over the decades. However, the voices and the concerns of fans around the world have clearly been expressed about the Super League, and AC Milan must be sensitive to the voice of those who love this wonderful sport. We will continue to work hard to deliver a sustainable model for football.
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The PFA has released a statement praising players for the way they spoke out passionately against the plans and ultimately helped to sink them:
We welcome news that the six English clubs have abandoned the European Super League. Sport with certainty, without jeopardy, void of aspiration and reward – is not sport. It’s just commercial content. Football is a shared experience across Europe. It is in our collective DNA, culture and heritage. This divisive and closed concept ultimately united the football community. However, this is a seismic event that has shaken football to its core. The impact will be long-lasting. There needs to be a period of reflection within the game. These events should now be the start of a process rather then the end. We are proud of our members – many put in a difficult position by their club’s owners – who stood up for the game they love. Speaking out as fans and as part of the wider football family, our former players also used their platforms effectively and often devastatingly. With absolute conviction they passionately articulated why the preservation of the domestic game is so important.
I’m not sure about this period of reflection, mind. Football never stops for long enough for people to think things through properly.
Let’s be honest, you’ve all been waiting to hear what Sam Allardyce makes of the European Super League shambles, haven’t you? Well, he thinks it’s merely been put on hold. Without strong rule changes among domestic, continental and world football authorities, he’s probably right isn’t he?
In that format it’s dead, but in other formats it’s on hold. Unless we learn the lessons and have better protection we will see it again and again. This is nothing new, the bigger boys have been trying to get a bigger share of the pot for many years. This stinks of the American system being put into place. I hope we can protect ourselves greater. I suggest the stakeholders have a bigger influence in the games and put in better rules and regulations.
Hello everyone! So Milan are expected to confirm their withdrawal imminently, which will leave Juventus, Real Madrid and Barça. Are we set for a clásico final face off in the race to be the last ESL founder standing? Maybe they could televise a scuffle between Joan Laporta v Florentino Pérez and sell that for billions.
We are into the afternoon here in the UK, so I’m going to grab some lunch and hand over to Gregg Bakowski for a while. See you in a bit.
There are rumours that the players of Cádiz, who face Real Madrid tonight in La Liga, are planning some sort of t-shirt protest similar to the one we saw on Monday night with Leeds United players, prior to their match with Liverpool.
La Liga’s video to accompany this round of games... pic.twitter.com/SmksiH1VU8
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) April 21, 2021
Lots of protest banners flying about, but this (from last night) is among the best.
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
— Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) April 20, 2021
The @ChelseaFC fans know...
🌪🌧❄️ @stokecity 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/yAilSyETZ6
The Football Supporters’ Association, which met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday to discuss how legislation could be used to thwart the breakaway, released a statement on Wednesday morning.
Appeasement of football’s richest clubs doesn’t work. The vultures circle, they’re always after more and they only get stronger when you feed their greed. This time the cabal of billionaire owners overplayed their hand and their rapacious appetite for more united an unprecedented array of opponents.
“Fans across the entire game, players, managers, pundits, clubs, leagues, football associations across the continent, politicians, Prime Ministers and governments. Even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared their concerns.
English club involvement in the Super League has collapsed and the concept itself teeters on the edge. At a continental level the FSA will continue to campaign with our friends at Football Supporters Europe to kill the competition for good. Agnelli’s ‘blood pact’ has no place in football.
The past 72 hours of white hot action and anger has killed domestic involvement in the Super League but that doesn’t mean fans can take their foot off the accelerator - a return to the status quo is unacceptable and will only allow these unscrupulous owners to regroup.”
After meeting with the FSA, Boris Johnson was slightly less articulate, but echoed the sentiment.
I welcome last night’s announcement. This is the right result for football fans, clubs, and communities across the country. We must continue to protect our cherished national game.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 21, 2021
It is certainly one way to convince Messi to sign a new contract …
We really might get to the point here where Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only ones left.
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) April 21, 2021
This is interesting: a recent survey has found women’s football should get a 296.7% increase in the UK if on TV, while in the EU the increase could be as high as 358.7% and 304.6% in the US. The survey comes on the back of the £8m-per-season deal for the broadcast rights to the Women’s Super League, which will involve women’s top-flight matches being aired on BBC One and BBC Two and across the main Sky Sports channels.
Here are the remaining clubs still officially in the ESL. We are down to four:
Real Madrid
Barcelona
Milan
Juventus
We’re down to the semi-finals!
Updated
Agnelli: 'Other clubs contacted me asking to join ESL'
Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli said other clubs were ready to join the new European league before the English sides left. This from Reuters:
“I’m not going to say how many clubs contacted me in just 24 hours asking if they could join,” he said, declining to name them. “Maybe they lied, but I was contacted by a number of teams asking what they could do to join.”
Agnelli said he felt the British government’s intervention, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatening legislation to stop the breakaway, had pushed the English clubs to withdraw.
“I have had speculation to that extent that if six teams would have broken away and would have threatened the EPL (Premier League), politics would have seen that as an attack to Brexit and their political scheme,” he said.
Asked if he regretted the way the breakaway was conducted - which was heavily criticised by his former ally Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin. Agnelli referred to the nature of the football business.
“If you tell me other methods for putting together such projects ... if you were to ask the authorisation of others, I don’t think you would have carried out a project like this. The relations are there, I have seen relations changing in time, some people I am quite sure that people will be open and talk to each other,” he said. “I don’t think our industry is a particularly sincere, trustworthy or reliable one in general.”
Meanwhile, in Turin, as the world burns … please enjoy these highlights from 2011!
The 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 #JuveParma! 🏟🤍🖤#FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/xlY8cDRUYC
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 21, 2021
(What a goal by Marchisio at the end there, by the way)
Again, no apology from Inter. What disdain they must hold for their fans. It’s so weird to spend years cultivating a sense of loyalty, and then … this.
I imagine the rest all have their statements prepared. Who will be the last to cave? Surely Real Madrid?
These withdrawals only make the ESL statement (from a few hours ago!) look even stranger. What happened to “reshaping the project”?
Inter are the next to go! They are out!
Their statement reads:
FC Internazionale Milano confirm that the Club is no longer part of the Super League project.
We are always committed to giving fans the best football experience; innovation and inclusion are part of our DNA since our foundation. Our engagement with all stakeholders to improve the football industry will never change.
Inter believes that football, like every sector of activity, must have an interest in constantly improving its competitions, to keep on exciting fans of all ages around the world, within a framework of financial sustainability.
With this vision we look forward to carry on working together with institutions and all stakeholders for the future of the sport we all love.
📢 | STATEMENT
— Inter (@Inter_en) April 21, 2021
Official Club Statement ⤵️#FCIM
Atlético are the first team from outside England to withdraw. It is surely a matter of time before the others follow.
There is no apology. And the brass neck of including the line that “sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria” after the last few days! Eeeeesh!
Atlético Madrid have withdrawn from the ESL!
A statement reads:
Atlético de Madrid’s Board of Directors, which met on Wednesday morning, has decided to formally communicate to the Super League and the rest of the founding clubs its decision not to finally formalise its adhesion to the project.
Atlético de Madrid took the decision on Monday to join the project due to circumstances that no longer exist today.
For the club, harmony between all the groups that make up the Red & White family, especially our fans, is essential.
The first team squad and the coach have expressed their satisfaction with the club’s decision, as they understand that sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria.
Official statement.
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 21, 2021
ℹ️ https://t.co/S7thc0FBBa
That Scott Parker picture atop The Knowledge has a big Jake Gyllenhaal energy, no?
Aaaaaand breathe. Go and put the kettle on. Unclench that jaw. Read The Knowledge.
Agnelli: "I remain convinced of the beauty of the project"
Agnelli said he remained convinced that European football needed change and he had no regrets about the way the breakaway attempt was made.
“I remain convinced of the beauty of that project,” Agnelli said, stating it would have created the best competition in the world. “But admittedly ... I mean, I don’t think that that project is now still up and running,” he said.
No regrets!
Later this month, you can join Football Weekly host Max Rushden, and a panel including Guardian sports writers Barney Ronay, Suzanne Wrack and Jonathan Liew for a discussion on the European Super League and what is means for football. Tickets are available here, and the event is open to everyone globally. Ooooof.
While Bob McCann’s email referring to the ESL as “the lads” is quite funny, the point he is making is definitely not.
“Can you give over comparing the club statements like they some how matter? We need to stop apportioning blame and credit like any of them are different from each other. The game is rotten and I include the other 14 in that too, Everton and West Ham and all the others would have done the same. The reality is this week rammed the greed down our throats, most weeks we allow ourselves be fooled and park the obscene figures but this was just too much. Sky, Uefa, Man City and Chelsea are the saviours of football? Pass me the sick bag.
“The soulless empty stadia and VAR have given so many people the opportunity to disengage from the sport in ways previously impossible, this is the final nail. Unless it all collapses and goes back to the days when fans actually matter ( I mean gate receipts cover player wages) then I’m done, I’ve wanted an out for years and thankfully the lads have provided it.”
Meanwhile, back in London.
Chelsea Supporters’ Trust calling for Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and CEO Guy Laurence to leave the club #cfc https://t.co/RF0dpvRF9A
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) April 21, 2021
That doesn’t exactly scream ‘Uefa sanctions’.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has welcomed the news that more clubs have withdrawn from the planned breakaway league and appeared to rule out any sanctions...
“I said yesterday that it is admirable to admit a mistake and these clubs made a big mistake. But they are back in the fold now and I know they have a lot to offer not just to our competitions but to the whole of the European game.
“The important thing now is that we move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together.”
Can ESL continue? "Evidently that is not the case", says Agnelli
Breakaway European Super League founder and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli said on Wednesday that the league can longer go ahead after six English clubs withdrew.
Asked whether the project could still happen after the exits, Agnelli told Reuters: “To be frank and honest no, evidently that is not the case.”
Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli: 'European Super League can no longer progress'
That’s from Reuters. More to follow.
Updated
Two contrasting opinions from two loyal Liverpool fans.
Dave Ricketts: “As a season ticket holder of 47 years, he can frankly stick his apology where the sun don’t shine. As a fan base we don’t forget or forgive easily. This is meant to be a club set inside a community built on solidarity. He has tried his best to smash that to pieces. Ticket pricing, furloughing staff, trying to copyright the word Liverpool, and now this. He hung Jurgen Klopp and the players completely out to dry on Monday, as well as the fans. They need to go and quick, They will never be trusted again. However, Kudos to Jordan Henderson and the players. Jordan is a true leader and a Liverpool legend.”
Gerry Rawcliffe: “I am a Liverpool fan of nearly 60 years standing. While disgusted with Liverpool’s decision to sign up to the ESL, I think John Henry’s admission of serious error and apology to the fan base (and the playing, coaching and management staff) should be given more credit, as indeed should his rebuilding of the club from the dark days of Hicks and Gillette.”
Barney Ronay on a job not yet done.
An email from Catherine, who lives in Turin.
“Here in Italy people are thankful for the harsh condemnation of UK fans, government and opposition. We couldn’t have defeated this without your outrage. I would say here the mood was equally devastated, but more resigned. In the online supporters forums, Juve supporters were more for the ESL than against, but even some of the ultras protested with stadium signs protesting the merchandising of their passion. Inter fans were more against than for, but few are taking their upset to the streets. Now that Inter has left, the mood for punishment is yet to be determined, some fans certainly want them punished harshly and many fans of other clubs are baying for it. Few believe punishment will actually happen though.
“My husband is a 40 year Inter supporter, me, Toro. Monday he was appalled and ended his lifetime allegiance, today now they have left, he says he is back in the fold. All seems forgiven. He says he’s under no illusion about the big money behind his team and the game as a whole. A salary cap is what people are calling for - we have to put up with Ronaldo’s expensive cars making themselves ostentatiously known in Piazza San Carlo and Agnelli’s mansions on the hill, so the greed that fuels the game side by side with the economic pain of ordinary Italians is somewhat in our face.”
Here’s our report on John W Henry’s apology.
Let’s recap on where we are with the ESL themselves. The project is not yet dead, with three clubs from Italy and three clubs from Spain still technically in the competition. Here’s what they had to say on Tuesday morning.
Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due the pressure out on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations as was demonstrated by a court decision to protect the Super League from third party actions.
“Given current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.”
Of course, this could all change if more clubs continue to withdraw. There has been talk that Inter and Atlético could be the next to go.
An email from Phil Macdonald: “The silence from Old Trafford continues to highlight the spectacular disregard the Glazers and Woodward have for the clubs supporters. No apology, no mention on their social media sites other than a terse statement that they are withdrawing for the ESL. The billionaire sharks have circling our beloved game getting ever closer. Fortunately, they have received a punch on their greedy noses from the football loving community. Shame and them and shame on us for allowing these money driven owners to nearly ruin our heritage and history.”
It is quite obvious that the Glazers have no regard for the fans or the club, it is just a vehicle to funnel and extract money. What they do care about is money, and it was interesting to see the club’s share price plummet through Monday and Tuesday. However, it has only fallen to the level it was at before Sunday night’s ESL announcement, which is still a little depressing.
David Conn has written about the role of (UK) government in all this. Well worth a read.
This is more like it.
Oliver Dowden, the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has been speaking this morning.
“It’s very important that we don’t see this as the end of the process. What this is highlighting, more than ever, is the need to look at the wider governance of football … I met with the president of Uefa on Monday and I’ll be … speaking to him again later today. We’ve been absolutely resolute in saying that we will not have our national game taken away from us for profit.”
Florentino Pérez this morning.
My first two weeks of fatherhood: pic.twitter.com/Q17FboW3GY
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) September 16, 2018
It’s clear that the owners are now fighting a war on two fronts:
1) any possible sanctions handed out by Fifa/Uefa/Premier League (which could be anything from a fine to points deductions to transfer ban to exclusion from domestic or European competition)
2) Continued revolt from the fans. The PR war has started, in the attempt to win over fans again, but their position should be untenable. Some fans will be swayed but I suspect the vast majority of fans will want the owners gone. Abramovich, Sheikh Mansour and Levy (particularly) do have credit in the bank from the recent past, but I can’t see how the protests will stop.
None of you seem particularly impressed with Henry’s effort. His words are particularly jarring when you think about the last few days. He calls it “disruption”. It was a betrayal.
@michaelbutler18 Morning! My thought on ESL and punishment of English clubs is that sanctions against the clubs is unnecessary and unimaginative. A transfer ban didn't hurt Chelsea in the long-term. The owners don't care.
— Natalie Lawrence (@IamNLawrence) April 21, 2021
“That man is an embarrassment to our football club,” emails Thomas Boesmans. “His words mean nothing. He clearly does not want to sell. Yet. #FSGOUT”
From Jack Cantwell: “I’m an Arsenal fan, and I’m more than happy to take a points deduction and a ban from European football for say 1-2 years. It’s what it will take to drive an entitled, selfish and vacuous man like Kroenke from the club that I love. He needs to realise that sport is competitive, and cheating is unacceptable - which is what this would have been (giving yourself an unfair and dubious advantage). Yes it’ll hurt, yes it’ll put our progress plan back a few years but for the good of the game that’s a necessary sacrifice - and I’m sure the majority of true Arsenal fans would agree to take the hit to preserve what’s left of the game for everyone who’s a fan.”
Thanks to Jonathan for starting the blog, I’ll be manning for the blog for the next few hours at least. Do send an email to michael.butler@theguardian.com or tweet me @michaelbutler18. Let’s start with a message from Liverpool’s owner, John W Henry, as he attempts to grovel his way back from this mess.
While some might think that Henry deserves some credit for apology, it is worth remembering that there was no apology last night when Liverpool officially withdrew. Of the six English clubs to pull out, only Arsenal formally apologised in their statement. This was Liverpool’s, by the way. Pretty pathetic. I imagine the backlash to this was what caused Henry to release the video.
LFC can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a ESL 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.”
Updated
John W Henry apologises
Quite the mea culpa from the Liverpool owner.
John W Henry's message to Liverpool supporters. pic.twitter.com/pHW3RbOcKu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 21, 2021
Updated
One theme coming through loud and clear in my inbox and comments on this page, is that fans of clubs involved in the breakaway are comfortable accepting whatever punishment comes their way. It feels unprecedented. There isn’t (yet) the usual partisan squabbling or whataboutery.
Maybe that will change when the reality of a points deduction, transfer ban, or suspension from European competition materialises? But for now, it seems as though even those likely to be hit hardest in the aftermath of this fiasco recognise it is an opportunity for the game as a whole to move forward. Long may that attitude continue.
The BBC have had a crack at getting something out of John Henry.
NEW | Liverpool FC owner John Henry with little to say on the collapse of his shambolic super league plan when the BBC’s @BizFleury caught up with him in Boston last night at the Fenway Park Stadium https://t.co/YSwvGQyty2 pic.twitter.com/JE1g5iEjj3
— Dan Roan (@danroan) April 21, 2021
Some feedback from a Spanish reader (thanks Gerry!) about the reaction from fans in that part of the world.
To answer the question about protests in Spain: the Frente Atletico is organising a mass demonstration at the Metropolitano. The International Union of ATM Supporters Clubs has issued a statement condemning the ESL. There are a lot of posts on Twitter calling for the heads of the club leaders. As for Real Madrid and Barcelona....Can you attach a tumbleweed picture to this?
And this from Thomas:
I live in Spain and the impression I get from the people around is they’re more disappointed than furious. Generally people seem apathetic. I am a teacher and so I asked my more football inclined students their opinions and a rough 40/60 against the formation of the league came from asking.
Updated
What was it Gary Lineker said? Football is a simple game - 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.
Earlier, I've put it to a German club official that the Super League 12 must have some really clever ideas to get around all the obstacles, relative to the huge reputational risk they're facing.
— Raphael Honigstein💙 (@honigstein) April 20, 2021
Answer: "Never underestimate the incompetence of people."
So, what next? Should the clubs involved still be punished (plenty of correspondence in my inbox suggests that’s what many of you want)? If so, how? How does “the game” protect itself from future unrest? Is this, finally, a necessary reckoning, or simply a milestone on the road to a grim, inevitable future?
At times like this, it’s worth checking in with the oracle David Goldblatt.
We have already allowed this coterie of billionaires to own and deform the game for some time. This particular circus may yet fold, but the economic and political shifts that made it possible will still be with us. Now we need to do more than call their bluff and settle for the compromise of an expanded Champions League. We must rewrite the rules, remake the institutions and reassess our role as fans – for we all, collectively, allowed them to contemplate this gambit, and to believe they could get away with it.
Updated
*Chef’s kiss*
And some reading on Pine Barrens, for anyone yet to engage with The Sopranos.
Here’s your one-stop story for a remarkable 24 hours.
“I’ve seen a lot of coverage of the huge backlash against the ESL plans in England but I was wondering about whether their had been similar levels of protest against the plans at the European clubs that are remaining determined to press ahead, particularly the Madrid clubs and Barca.” Great email Jacob. Can any Spanish readers help us out?
Football belongs to the fans. Today more than ever.
— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) April 20, 2021
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) April 20, 2021
Today’s vibe.
This is a gift and we don’t deserve it. pic.twitter.com/DgzC2Q66sV
— Simon Ward (@simonjward) April 1, 2021
We’re still waiting for the announcements to start rolling in again, after the flurry of official statements late last night. It is expected that at some point today the two Milan giants will formally withdraw from the European Super League, leaving Juventus as the only Italian representatives remaining.
Andrea Agnelli, the Juve chairman, faces a day under the microscope. He was reportedly a key player in the Super League’s development, but now faces a backlash against his involvement.
So too does Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who has the misfortune of being the face of the doomed breakaway.
Aleksander Ceferin talked tough when the Super League plans were first mooted but the Uefa chief has struck a conciliatory tone following the unravelling of the breakaway competition.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, who called some representatives of the 12 breakaway Super League clubs ‘snakes and liars’ on Monday, welcomes them back in the fold. Doesn’t appear Uefa will punish or seek to curb their power pic.twitter.com/Mtj9h3nxc4
— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) April 21, 2021
As with Barney’s column, there’s a theme amongst the correspondence I’m receiving that this moment must be seized by the football community, not only to prevent a similar hijacking unfolding in the future, but also to harness the momentum this episode has provoked to make necessary reforms.
For example: “What a wonderful victory for the fans,” emails Mary Waltz. “But you can’t let up, the government must pass laws to make sure this never happens. The Glazers, Kroenke etc will never give up their dream of an NFL style franchise system. These people are not used to not getting their way. They will eventually try again unless the law stops them.”
Clearly there is political capital to be gained from introducing legislation, but as David Conn writes, whether a Boris Johnson-led government choses to pull that lever remains to be seen.
Unless this story takes an unexpected turn, its next phase will concern the fallout from an incredible couple of days. Barney Ronay has considered what it means, and how this fiasco has brought the need for major reform to a head.
If there is a lesson here, it is in the startling unity of feeling, the sheer anger at peering in through the stadium gate to see someone rolling up the pitch, and feeling not just enraged but empowered by the prospect. It is a feeling of shared force that must be preserved and kept safe for future deployment. This is far from over. The ESL may be postponed, may soldier on with different parties involved or be simply parked, a menacing satellite entity. But the concerns of those involved must also be heard. Your enemy’s enemy is not always your friend – and the clubs are also right in this: football’s governing bodies are self-serving and opaque. Reform is absolutely vital: better it comes from below than in this form again.
Chelsea played out a 0-0 draw with Brighton last night, providing fans an opportunity to voice their opposition to the Super League proposals.
Preamble
Good morning legacy fans and welcome to the Wednesday edition of The Guardian’s liveblog documenting the latest developments in the European Super League.
It seems inevitable we are in for another momentous day as late last night a frenzy of activity concluded with a statement from the Super League that indicated the controversial project was now on hold. “Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project,” read the announcement.
That statement arrived following the withdrawal of all six English members of the breakaway group. Those half-dozen sides drip-fed statements backing out of the scheme throughout Tuesday evening.
It has also been reported, but not yet confirmed, that Internazionale and AC Milan are both ready to remove their association with the Super League. That leaves only Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid of the core group of renegades.
Expect plenty of news from Spain and Italy as the day whirrs into life.
