Fans of all clubs have been issued a stark warning over the future of the game - and told a European Super League is the only way of saving football.
The dust is still settling on the 48-hour saga which saw the Super League emerge and quickly collapse in the face of backlash from supporters and wider society.
The Premier League's 'Big Six' comprised half of the founding member clubs of the breakaway competition, while their supporters were among those to voice the fiercest opposition to the project.
But those fans have been told their anger is misplaced, as football is reportedly on the brink of financial catastrophe.
"I compare it to the financial crisis of 2008," a Madrid-based source with links to the Super League told The Athletic .
"If you said that subprime mortgages were bad, people were against you. But September 2008 comes and Lehman Brothers explodes.
"Barca are not a private company, they are owned by their members, but they are on the point of exploding. Inter Milan is on the point of exploding. Bordeaux have exploded.
Will a European Super League be required one day? Have your say in the comments.
"And many more clubs will explode too — they will be unable to meet their debts. And each one who explodes, causes another to explode, as there is a domino-effect due to transfer fees which are not paid.
"So we are facing a huge systemic risk, and if there is no solution in the short term, football will shrink a lot — a lot. It will be really bad. And who will benefit? Those who have lots of money from outside."
Barcelona face debts totalling £1.1billion, while Inter Milan are also believed to be on the cusp of bankruptcy with debts of £548million.
It is thought the continental clubs involved with the Super League may have been obliged to sign up or else risk financial calamity in coming years.
Indeed, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez - the chairman of the Super League - still insists the project is of the upmost importance for the future of the game, and that founding clubs cannot pull out.
"I don't need to explain what a binding contract is, but effectively the clubs cannot leave," Perez told Spanish outlet AS . "Some of them, due to pressure, have said they're leaving. But this project, or one very similar, will move forward and I hope very soon."
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
