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'War of the rich': How the world reacted to European Super League launch

Spain's ABC, L'Equipe, and The Daily Telegraph
Spain's ABC, L'Equipe, and The Daily Telegraph

War has been declared in the world of football. That was the verdict of much of the British and European press on Monday after the late night announcement of a new European Super League.

Six Premier League clubs - Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City - were among the 12 leading European clubs who launched the move, setting the stage for what is certain to be a bitter battle for control of the game and its lucrative revenue.

The move sets up a rival to Uefa's established Champions League competition and was condemned by football authorities and political leaders.

Here is a round up of how the world reacted to the announcement.

Football's governing bodies

A Premier League spokesperson said: “The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.”

In his letter to Premier League clubs, chief executive Richard Masters highlighted Rule L9 which forbids clubs from entering other competitions. “I cannot envisage any scenario where such permission would be granted,” he wrote. “We call upon any club contemplating associating themselves or joining this venture to walk away immediately before irreparable damage is done.”

The announcement came just hours before Uefa was due to sign off on its own plans for an expanded and restructured 36-team Champions League on Monday.

UEFA issued a strong statement jointly with English, Spanish and Italian leagues and football federations, saying they were ready to use "all measures" to confront any breakaway and saying any participating clubs would be banned from domestic leagues, such as the Premier League.

"The clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams," Uefa said.

"We thank those clubs in other countries, especially the French and German clubs, who have refused to sign up to this. We call on all lovers of football, supporters and politicians, to join us in fighting against such a project if it were to be announced. This persistent self-interest of a few has been going on for too long. Enough is enough."

The world governing body Fifa expressed its "disapproval to a 'closed European breakaway league' outside of the international football structures".

It said in a statement: "In our view, and in accordance with our statutes, any football competition, whether national, regional or global, should always reflect the core principles of solidarity, inclusivity, integrity and equitable financial distribution."

But noticeably there was no mention of a previous threat from Fifs to ban any players taking part in a breakaway from participating in World Cups.

Fans vent their fury

Supporters groups united in their dismay at the plans.

Football Supporters Europe, with memebers in 48 countries, called the move "illegitimate, irresponsible, and anti-competitive by design".

"More to the point, it is driven exclusively by greed. The only ones who stand to gain are hedge funds, oligarchs and a handful of already wealthy clubs, many of which perform poorly in their own domestic leagues despite their inbuilt advantage," it added.

Fans groups of the English clubs involved also voiced anger.

Declaring the move "unforgiveable", the Chelsea Supporters' Trust said "enough is enough".

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust said it was "a concept driven by avarice and self-interest at the expense of the intrinsic values of the game we hold so dear".

"Along with fan groups at Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, we wholeheartedly oppose the move to create a closed shop for Europe’s elite.

"In our 2019 survey, 81% of the 4,302 Spurs fans polled supported THST’s position against any closed European Super League, with only 3% disagreeing.

"We call .... the ... custodians of our great club, to distance themselves from any rebel group and to consider the implications fully before making decisions that will fundamentally change the course of history for Tottenham Hotspur forever. The future of our Club is at stake."

The Arsenal Supporters' Trust said it was "the death of Arsenal as a sporting institution".

Responding to the Arsenal Supporters' Trust post on Twitter, Liverpool's Spirit of Shankly group replied: "Solidarity needed now more than ever."

How the newspapers covered the move

The bombshell graced the front and back pages of the the UK's newspapers, including the Daily Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Daily Telegraph sport section
Daily Telegraph sport section

Many of the headlines described the move as sparking a war.

Most of the headlines conveyed the outrage at the move, with the Mirror calling it a "criminal act".

In Europe, L'Equipe's front page called it a "war of the rich", while Spain's ABC newspaper echoed the sentiment, declaring: "War in European football over the creation of the Super League."

ABC headline: War in European football over the creation of the Super League
ABC headline: War in European football over the creation of the Super League

El Pais also called it a "war" on their homepage while AS was a little more neutral, calling the news a "bombshell".

In Italy, Corriere dello Sport's homepage was dominated by the news. However, its tone contrasted starkly with its European counterparts, with the lead item calling it a "football revolution".

Corriere dello Sport
Corriere dello Sport

Politicians

Boris Johnson led the political world in criticising the plans.

The Prime Minister posted his views on Twitter on Sunday evening, criticising the prospect of six English clubs possibly joining a breakaway continental league.

"Plans for a European Super League would be very damaging for football and we support football authorities in taking action," said Mr Johnson.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden also commented on the matter, saying any decisions should involve fans.

"Football supporters are the heartbeat of our national sport and any major decisions made should have their backing," he said in a statement.

"With many fans, we are concerned that this plan could create a closed shop at the very top of our national game. Sustainability, integrity and fair competition are absolutely paramount and anything that undermines this is deeply troubling and damaging for football.

"We have a football pyramid where funds from the globally successful Premier League flow down the leagues and into local communities. I would be bitterly disappointed to see any action that destroys that."

Sir Keir Starmer tweeted that “the ‘super league’ proposal cuts across all the things that make football great".

Emmanuel Macron, the French President, also raised his voice against the breakaway.

"The president of the republic welcomes the position of French clubs to refuse to participate to a European football Super League project that threatens the principle of solidarity and sporting merit," the French presidency said in a statement.

"The French state will support all the steps taken by the LFP, FFF, UEFA and FIFA to protect the integrity of federal competitions, whether national or European," the Elysee added, citing the national, European and globally soccer governing bodies.

Former footballers

Gary Neville claimed clubs should be relegated while Jamie Carragher called Liverpool an "embarrassment".

The backlash from former players has been both fierce and prompt, with Liverpool great Carragher taking aim at his former club on Twitter after they confirmed their plans.

Former Arsenal and City defender Bacary Sagna said: "Oooook .. i think i will stop watching football..cause the football i know is not football anymore."

Ex-City player Micah Richards said the idea was "an absolute disgrace" earlier in the day and former United captain Roy Keane said the move "comes down to money, greed".

Neville said he was appalled by the developments, which he feels are motivated by greed.

"I am a Manchester United fan and have been for 40 years but I am disgusted, absolutely disgusted," the former England and United defender told Sky Sports.

"It is an absolute disgrace. Honestly, we have to wrestle back power in this country from the clubs at the top of this league, and that includes my club."

Stan Collymore addressed fans of his former club Liverpool and Man United saying: "You can save our pyramid, our unique 150 year old gift to the world, simply by saying no, and not entering your famous old stadia until this madness stops.

"Save our pyramid."

Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy said players would be risking too much to take part in the proposed Super League.

"The plans ... sound soulless," he told the BBC.

"We've already seen strong opposition from leagues and federations who would be affected, and fans as well. Next, I think we will see a backlash from managers and players too."

Do you have a question about the European Super League? Email yourstory@telegraph.co.uk or leave a comment below and your question could be answered in a Q&A with one of our reporters later today.