Abandoned before kick-off?
In the last few days I am sure you have all heard in the news of the dreaded three words: European Super League. With much controversy in the media, the UK - and much of Europe - are split on whether the Super League was a good or disastrous decision.
On Sunday 18th April - after just a few mentions in the press on past occasions - it was leaked in the afternoon that many clubs - including the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ - would be joining the European Super League. In response to this speculation, the FA, FIFA, UEFA and other organisations were rumoured to be devising opposing sanctions for the unannounced league.
However, late on Sunday evening, the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ (Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal) - announced they would be joining AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona in a statement declaring their involvement in the European Super League as founding members. Manchester City stated ‘twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have today come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new mid-week competition, the Super League, governed by its Founding Clubs….it is anticipated that a further three clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable.’, as well as outlining the competition format.
On Monday morning, fans were left in despair when they realised that football was finally being sold to the highest bidder, and many took to social media to highlight their feelings and disappointment in their club. Their grudge wasn't only towards the profit that clubs would get when taking part in the league: it was the fans’ involvement. Many season ticket holders expressed their anger when stating that they could not fly out to countries like Spain for a mid-week match before flying home and working the next day - it wasn’t a necessity and therefore clubs were not looking out for their devoted fans. As well as this, many were left shocked at the continuity that the league would face - with no teams being relegated and the 23 year commitment being signed. Not only was there an uproar in the demand for withdrawing from the Super League, many football fans were left feeling betrayed by their club’s management - with some even protesting outside training grounds and stadiums. I, like many of these angered fans, thought that my club (Tottenham Hotspur) was focused on the economic gain it would make, and ignored the history and valued tradition of English and European football.
It wasn’t just fans who were outraged, many football pundits were stating their views live on air - and for some, the frustration deepend per minute. Gary Neville did not hold back on his feelings, and labelled the plans as a ‘criminals act against fans’. As well as this, Wolverhampton Wanderers changed their Twitter bio to ‘Premier League Champions 2018/19’ following the announcement, due to them finishing the specified league in 7th place and behind the ‘Big Six’.
Many organisations gave threats to the clubs competing, with the UEFA chief furiously warning clubs that Super League participating players would face World Cup and Euros bans - something which terrified fans. As well as this, Boris Johnson even reassured the public when announcing if needed, the government could introduce a new law regarding the competition.
After so much anger from the public, many clubs even started to decline invitations to become founding members. But this wasn’t the end of it.
On Tuesday 20th April, the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’were forced to make a U-turn in a humiliating turn of events. First, Chelsea withdrew, followed by Manchester City. Then left four clubs: Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham - where just before midnight dawned, the clubs also announced their withdrawal from the already-hated league; it wasn’t just the six English clubs who left - however - with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan following suit.
Even though the ‘Big Six’ had withdrawn from the league, fans still took to streets protesting about their club’s lack of respect - with Spurs fans even crowding around their stadium with ‘Levy out. Enic out.’ signs.
So what comes next? Will the Super League be shut down, or will it continue to find other strong clubs who can hide its weakness?
To me, it seems that it’s been abandoned before kick-off.
By Grace Wells
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