Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given his reaction to the news that several teams are set to pull out of the European Super League.
The Gunners were among 12 teams across Europe on Sunday to sign up to the brand new competition that would effectively replace the Champions League and Europa League in its current format.
Wenger who had predicted something like this could happen as long ago as in 2009, stated on Monday that he was in opposition to the move as it threatened both the Premier League and the principle of sporting merit.
“I would say that’s a bad idea. Football has to stay united, it’s the most important thing,” Wenger said to talkSPORT.
“It’s based on sporting merit and overall to respect the history that has been built from European football.
“I believe, personally, that this idea will not go far.
“I don’t know what exactly is behind (it). There is a more dangerous idea behind it and it’s a big threat for the Premier League.
“When I was still in charge it was a lot going on from other countries to diminish the dominance of the Premier League and a project like that would certainly accelerate that.”
The nascent Super League does not appear to have lasted long however, after reports emerged that Chelsea and Manchester City were planning to withdraw from the competition along with Atletico Madrid.
Reacting to the news on Tuesday night Wenger stated that he was delighted the plans look set to be halted in their tracks and believed that supported outrage at the new competition had played a big part.
“I’m not surprised it didn’t last long," he told beIN Sport.
"I never believed from the start it would happen. It ignored the basic principles on which football is based which is access to sporting competition has to be through sporting merit and by the results of your domestic league.
"Once you ignore that you kill the domestic leagues, and you kill the whole culture of domestic football
"So that means I didn't believe for a second that that would ever work. Our fans would never accept that and rightly so.
"And I must say that the biggest paradox in all that is the English clubs.
"England voted for Brexit to master their destiny. England has the strongest league in the world and by signing documents like that they destroy the Premier League.
"What is behind that thinking? It's unbelievable to believe that it makes sense."
