Football fans have joked that the apparent collapse of the planned European Super League was “predicted” by The Simpsons.
The long-running cartoon has become notorious in recent years for scenes which appeared to anticipate major global news events years, or sometimes decades, before they occurred, such as the election of Donald Trump to the office of US president.
On Sunday (18 April) night, it was revealed that 12 of Europe’s elite football clubs, including six from the Premier League (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur) were breaking away from the Uefa Champions League to form their own lucrative midweek competition. The 12 “founder members” would be ensured permanent positions in the league, and would be insulated from relegation.
The plans were met with condemnation from across the football world, including from pundits, players, managers and fans. On Tuesday (20 April), the “big six” Premier League clubs announced they were abandoning the league, which is now not expected to go ahead.
Fans poked fun at the almost-immediate U-turn on social media, with many sharing the same moment from The Simpsons’ season eight episode “Bart After Dark”.
In the scene, Abe “Grandpa” Simpson walks in through the doors of a bordello, removing his hat, only to see his grandson Bart in the lobby. He then turns immediately back around again, picks up his hat and leaves.
The clip was shared countless times on social media, with one account writing: “Can’t believe The Simpsons even predicted how the Super League would turn out.”
“Oh my god I can’t believe The Simpsons even predicted the European Super League,” joked someone else.
Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte even shared the GIF, in a tweet which was liked more than 40,000 times.
You can keep up to date with the latest European Super League developments here.
The Simpsons was also criticised by ex-Smiths crooner Morrissey earlier this week, who took objection to a recent parody of himself on the show.
