The news of the creation of a new Super League by the 12 breakaway clubs spread like wildfire. The clubs were heavily criticised by their own fans for breaking the spirit of the game and prioritising money over football. However, Chairman of the Super League and the President of Real Madrid Florentino Perez insists that the Super League still exists and that the European Super League is not “dead” despite the competition collapsing just 48 hours after its announcement.
While talking to the Spanish radio show El Larguero, Perez said, “If anyone thinks the Super League is dead, are they wrong? Absolutely. We’re going to keep working and what everyone thinks is for the best will emerge. The project is on standby. The Super League still exists.”
The plans began to crumble on Tuesday when Chelsea followed by Manchester City withdrew after a furious backlash from supporters. Chelsea fans stopped the team bus right outside Stamford Bridge from entering before their match against Brighton.
Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Manchester United also pulled out from the tournament on Tuesday night. Arsenal apologized to their fans for this whole situation stating this was a serious lapse of judgement on their part. Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid also withdrew on Wednesday. Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli admitted that the Super League could no longer go ahead.
Not only fans but managers and players also came out to voice their dissent. Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp in the pre-match press conference came out and spoke against the idea of Super League. Marcus Rashford tweeted an image quoting Sir Matt Busby “Football is nothing without the fans”.
The whole European Super League drama had serious consequences as Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had to step down from his role. He will continue till the end of 2021. Currently, there are only two clubs left in the Super league Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Catalan club is in a special position as they could enter only if two-third of their members vote for it and could remain “in” the Super League until the vote goes out to the members and they vote against it.