FIFA boss Gianni Infantino is “strongly disapproving” of the invasive European Premier League and says the 12 clubs will have to “live with the consequences” of their decision to join.
Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are part of the proposed league.
“There’s a lot to be thrown out for perhaps short-term financial gains for some,” said Infantino. “Either you’re in or you’re out.”
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the Football Association, Premier League officials and supporters’ representatives on Tuesday, after which the government said it would take “whatever action is necessary” ”, Including legislative options, to ensure the proposals are suspended.
In other developments:
- Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin called on English clubs to “come to your senses”
- Everton criticized the “frequent arrogance” of the clubs concerned
- Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said the new league was needed to “save football”
The proposed tournament would see teams playing each other in midweek games in a bid to get more games between the big-name clubs.
Other clubs taking part are AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid.
The plans have been fiercely criticized by supporters, pundits, football governing bodies and members of the UK government.
“Our task is to protect the European model of sport. If some choose to go their own way, they must live with the consequences of their choices, ”said Infantino, president of the world football governing body.
“They are entirely responsible for their choice. This means you’re either in or you’re out. You can’t be half in and half out. ”
What have other Premier League clubs said?
Everton and Brighton released statements on Tuesday criticizing their fellow Premier League clubs for joining.
In a lengthy statement, the Everton board said the six clubs were “tarnishing the reputation of our league and the game”, accusing it of “disrespect” towards fellow Premier League clubs and saying they were “assuming even betray a majority of football fans across our country and beyond ”.
The statement added: “This repeated arrogance is not wanted anywhere in football outside the clubs that have drafted this plan.
“On behalf of everyone involved with Everton, we respectfully ask that the proposals be withdrawn immediately and that the private meetings and inversion practices that have brought our beautiful game to a record low in terms of trust ending now. ”
The 14 Premier League clubs that have not joined the ESL will meet on Tuesday to assess the proposals and consider a response.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said the new league was needed to “save football” and help recover losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Everton have accused the six Premier League clubs of acting “for their own benefit”.
They added: “At this time of national and international crisis – and the defining phase of our game – clubs should be working with the ideals of our game and its supporters at its highest.
“Instead, these clubs have been secretly plotting to break away from a well-served football pyramid.
“The self-proclaimed Super Six seems determined to disenfranchise fans across the game – including their own – by putting the very structure underlying the game we love under threat . ”
Brighton said the separatist league showed “obvious disrespect” to other sides, adding that it would “destroy the dreams of clubs at all levels”.
The statement said: “These plans are the latest in an alarming and growing list of clandestine efforts by a small group of clubs whose actions would erase close to 150 years of football tradition.”
Burnley has called on the government to introduce an independent regulator to protect English football through legislation. (BBC Sport)