‘Shameful’: how the papers covered European Super League backlash
There has been no tempering of the anger towards the European Super League in this morning’s UK papers, as Downing Street and Prince William join the fray. The Guardian’s front page splashes on culture secretary Oliver Dowden vowing, with backing from No 10, to do “whatever it takes” to stop English clubs from joining the breakaway league.
Guardian front page, Tuesday 20 April 2021: No 10 joins attacks on
breakaway football plan pic.twitter.com/ja9Fq69bRx— Guardian news (@guardiannews) April 19, 2021
Related: European Super League: government, FA and Uefa unite to denounce plans
The Times leads on Prince William saying that the league, which could start as early as Auguest, would “damage the game we love”.
TIMES: Prince joins the backlash over football Super League #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/qglnTsee6a
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
The Independent’s main story focusses on Dowden and other ministers’ reactions.
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL: Ministers vow to stop football super league #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RQzagAwmol
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
The FT reports that the clubs will net up to €300m in a welcome bonus, and its editorial is focussed on the league, and the “battle for the soul of European football”.
FINANCIAL TIMES: Super League football clubs to net €200m - €300m ‘welcome bonus’ #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/0HOclShCjZ
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
FINANCIAL TIMES EDITORIAL: A battle for the soul of European Football #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/XxoXTWijAU
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
The Express calls the league “shameful” and a “theft” of the country’s national sport.
EXPRESS: SHAMEFUL!: ‘Theft’ of our national sport #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Ea84RTg4vY
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
The Mail splashes on the Duke of Cambridge too, but adds its own spin with “league of greed”.
MAIL: William cries foul on league of greed #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/k3bngsNMWI
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
The Telegraph’s sports section brands the league’s participants the “Dirty Dozen”, while the Express’s back page promises to “hit back hard” at the league for having “spat in our faces”.
TELEGRAPH SPORT: ‘Dirty Dozen’ face European ban #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/vCUG4EvNXm
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
EXPRESS SPORT: You spat in our faces: we’ll hit back hard #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/eWBbQ7mYFl
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
Related: Power grab in a pandemic: how absence of fans gave greedy owners their chance | Barney Ronay
The Star’s front page as an Oliver Twist feel, with the headline “Can we have our football back please Mister”, while on the back the league is told to “Sling Eur hook”.
STAR: Can we have our football back please Mister? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/gQ13l3MzWE
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
STAR SPORT: Sling Eur hook #TomorrowsPaapersToday pic.twitter.com/dzh1Mbti3Z
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
The i appeals to Liverpool fans with, “You’ll never go it alone”, while Metro goes for an apt metaphor with “A red card from Wills”.
I PAPER: You’ll never go it alone #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/5aaIBJaFoh
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021
METRO: A red card from Wills #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/dNBBHXmOyG
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) April 19, 2021