Manchester
United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have followed Chelsea and
Manchester City in pulling out from the proposed Super League.
City were the first Premier League side to confirm they were pulling out of
the breakaway competition.
The Premier League leaders said in a statement on Tuesday evening:
"Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the
procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super
League."
Chelsea, whose fans protested against the planned breakaway league outside
Stamford Bridge ahead of Tuesday's Premier League match against Brighton,
are understood to have changed their mind because of the overwhelming
negative worldwide reaction.
According to Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol, the "totally negative reaction to
ESL plans was in danger of totally overshadowing all the good work the club
does in the community.
"Chelsea made a last-minute decision last week to join the ESL. They now
regret the decision and accept it was a mistake. They felt they had to 'jump
on the train because it was leaving the station'. Turned out it was a train
to nowhere."
The competition's announcement on Sunday, made by 12 founding clubs -
including Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham
from the Premier League - was met with widespread criticism.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to "thwart" the competition, likening it
to a "cartel", while the other 14 Premier League clubs rejected the proposal
and UEFA threatened potential sanctions on the rebel group.
Sky Sports News reported on Tuesday splits were emerging among the breakaway
sides - despite one board member, speaking on the condition of anonymity,
insisting "they will not back down".
Analysis: 'They just got it wrong'
Sky Sports' Graeme Souness:
"On the face of it, obviously it is great news. It's a domino effect and
hopefully that's the end of it.
"They totally misunderstood the British passion and long family connections
of supporting a football club.
"They just got it wrong."
FA: This has unified us all
The Football Association welcomed the news some clubs had decided to
withdraw their support from the new competition.
An FA statement read: "English football has a proud history based on
opportunity for all clubs and the game has been unanimous in its disapproval
of a closed league. It was a proposition that, by design, could have divided
our game; but instead, it has unified us all.
"We would like to thanks the fans in particular for their influential and
unequivocal voice during this time, holding true the guiding principles of
football. It is a powerful reminder that the game is, and always will be,
for fans.
"We would also like to thank the Primer Minister, Secretary of State and
Sports Minister for their unwavering and critical support against these
plans."
Prime Minister commends Chelsea and City
for pulling out
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticised the Super League
plans, likening it "as a kind of cartel".
Following the news of Chelsea and City's exit from the proposals, Johnson
tweeted: "The decision by Chelsea and Manchester City is - if confirmed -
absolutely the right one and I commend them for it.
"I hope the other clubs involved in the European Super League will follow
their lead."
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden also tweeted: "Good news that Chelsea and
City have seen sense, and I urge the rest to follow swiftly.
"The whole ESL move shows how out-of-touch these owners are. They have
completely misjudged the strength of feeling from fans, players and the
whole country. Football is for the fans.
"Our fan-led review will still happen and I remain convinced of the need for
reform. We must make sure this never happens again."
Ceferin 'delighted' by City's withdrawal
UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin welcomed the withdrawal of Manchester
City from the breakaway closed league project.
He said: "I am delighted to welcome City back to the European football
family.
"They have shown great intelligence in listening to the many voices - most
notably their fans - that have spelled out the vital benefits that the
current system has for the whole of European football; from the world
beating Champions League final right down to a young player's first coaching
session at a grassroots club.
"As I said at the UEFA Congress, it takes courage to admit a mistake but I
have never doubted that they had the ability and common sense to make that
decision.
"City are a real asset for the game and I am delighted to be working with
them for a better future for the European game."
14 Premier League clubs reject Super
League proposals
The 14 Premier League clubs not involved in the new European Super League
"unanimously and vigorously" rejected plans for the breakaway competition on
Tuesday afternoon.
The Premier League met without Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City,
Manchester United and Tottenham to discuss the newly-announced competition
at a virtual meeting.
The two-and-a-half-hour meeting, chaired by Premier League CEO Richard
Masters, explored ways to collectively respond to the proposals.
A Premier League statement read: "The Premier League, alongside The FA, met
with clubs today to discuss the immediate implications of the Super League
proposal.
"The 14 clubs at the meeting unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans
for the competition. The Premier League is considering all actions available
to prevent it from progressing, as well as holding those Shareholders
involved to account under its rules.
"The Premier League would like to thank supporters and all stakeholders for
the support they have shown this week on this significant issue. The
reaction proves just how much our open pyramid and football community means
to people."
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