MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) – The European Premier League collapsed yesterday as eight of the 12 founding members from England, Italy and Spain withdrew from the separatist project under huge pressure from British fans, politicians, football officials and even British royals.
Juventus founder and chairman Andrea Agnelli told Reuters he was unwilling to call time on the new league after six English clubs withdrew on Tuesday, with Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid following the same suit and AC Milan notes that they would too.
“The voices and concerns of fans around the world are clearly expressed about the Super League, and AC Milan must be sensitive to the voice of those who love this amazing sport,” said the club r Italy in a statement.
Agnelli said he still believes in the merits of the Super League despite the harsh criticism and did not regret how the breach was carried out.
“I remain convinced of the beauty of that project,” Agnelli told Reuters, adding that it would have been the best competition in the world.
Juventus itself did not say the league was dead but said it acknowledged there was a limited chance of the project being completed in its original conceived form.
The Italian club said in a statement that it was aware that some clubs were planning to leave but had not yet completed the necessary procedures under the Super League agreement.
Agnelli quit Sunday as chair of the European Club Association, which represents over 200 clubs. The ECA said it would be replaced by Paris St Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, adding that recent events reminded us that “owners are just their clubs”.
‘RIGHT OUTCOME’
The Super League argued that it would increase revenue for the best football clubs in Europe and allow them to distribute more money for the rest of the game.
However, governing bodies of the sport, other teams and fan organizations said the league would only boost the power and wealth of elite clubs, and that the partially closed structure went against Europe’s long-standing European football model.
Players, fans, pundits and politicians celebrated the u-turn of English teams on Tuesday that left the league in tattoos and pushed other founding members to jump ship.
“This is the right outcome for football fans, clubs, and communities across the country. We must continue to defend our beloved national game, ”said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Prince William of Britain, President of the Football Association of England, who had criticized the proposed separation, said in a signed tweet: “I am pleased that the united voice of football fans has been heard and listened to.”
The founding members were Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur from England, AC Milan, Inter and Juventus from Italy and Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid from Spain.
Barcelona and Real Madrid were the only two founders yet to issue official statements by Wednesday afternoon. Two sources told Reuters they could again impose break-up fees on the clubs that have withdrawn.
Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan will not be penalized for their part in the failed voyage, said the head of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravina.
Liverpool’s top owner John Henry apologized in a video on the club’s website and social media on Wednesday.
“Needless to say, it should be said that the project submitted was never going to stand without the support of the supporters,” he said.
“I am solely responsible for the unwanted negativity that has been introduced over the past few days. It’s something I’ll never forget. And shows the power that fans have today and they will rightfully continue to have it. ”
Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer apologized in an open letter to supporters for failing to show respect for the “deep-rooted traditions” of the England game.
“We continue to believe that European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid in the long term. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go, ”Glazer wrote.
‘BEAUTY DAY’
After triggering a massive backlash, the Super League had said late Tuesday that it would reconsider and look to “reshape” the project, stopping throwing in the towel.
“What a lovely day for football. Let’s keep playing, let’s keep fighting, let’s keep dreaming, “said Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy.
The news dominated the front page of Wednesday’s newspapers in Britain.
“Defeat of Greed” published the front page headline of the Daily Mail while the paper summarized the withdrawal as “Own Goal”.
The Daily Telegraph announced a “fan victory” while the Times said the clubs involved had bowed to “fan rage”.
A top official of the Council of Europe referred to the project as an unfortunate initiative and called on the intergovernmental sport co-ordinating body to urgently discuss the implications of the proposed separation.
Amid celebrations over the collapse of the project, anger remained. Some pundits said the owners of the English teams would never be forgiven.
“They were going to sell the souls of our main football organizations,” said Graeme Souness, Liverpool.
“I don’t know how these clubs will manage to get back on the side.”