Uefa say they will press ahead with their new plans for the Champions League with or without the 12 clubs who want to launch their own European Super League.
It was revealed on Sunday that the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - would join six other teams - AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid - in forming a new midweek competition.
Their announcement came just the day before Uefa revealed its plans for a new format for the Champions League.
From 2024, Uefa confirmed on Monday that the Champions League will be expanded from 32 teams to 36.
A new league format will replace the group stages, with a ‘Swiss model’ being used and teams playing 10 matches.
It now faces the prospect, however, of taking place without the clubs who want to start a new European Super League.
But asked if there could be a Champions League without them, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “The answer is yes of course.
“In Europe, there are many clubs, many good clubs, many devoted fans and we already approved today, as you heard, the changes of the European club competition post 2024 - and we will do it with or without them.”
