Supporters of English clubs due to join the European Super League have stepped up their opposition to the controversial project, with Chelsea fans protesting outside Stamford Bridge before the club’s home game against Brighton.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has denounced the proposed breakaway as the “ultimate betrayal” and “unforgivable”. With similar sentiments echoed by fan groups across England’s so-called “Rich Six” clubs it is perhaps no surprise that two, Manchester City and Chelsea, are believed to be harbouring second thoughts about swapping the Champions League for the widely condemned new competition.
Chelsea supporters gathered outside Stamford Bridge with signs expressing opposition to the Super League and one urging the owner, Roman Abramovich, to “do the right thing”.
A key part of the pressure at Stamford Bridge is being applied by the Chelsea Supporters Trust. “Our members and football supporters across the world have experienced the ultimate betrayal,” it said in a statement. “This is a decision of greed to line the pockets of those at the top and it has been made with no consideration for the loyal supporters, our history, our future or the future of football in this country.
“It is likely that this proposal will never come into existence, however, it speaks volumes that Chelsea are prepared to risk our existence in the Premier League and the FA Cup. This is unforgivable. Enough is enough.”
On the move #cfc pic.twitter.com/du4cL5P4ol
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) April 20, 2021
The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust is clearly thinking along parallel lines. “This represents the death of everything football should be about,” it said in a statement, highlighting the threat the ESL poses to meritocracy. “As fans we want to see Arsenal play in competitions based on sporting merit and competitive balance. We will do everything we can to oppose this.”
This depth of feeling was mirrored by the Liverpool supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly. “Embarrassing,” was its summation of the plans as club officials removed protest banners from Anfield’s precincts. “As fan representatives we are appalled and completely oppose this decision. FSG [Fenway Sports Group] have ignored fans in their relentless and greedy pursuit of money. Football is ours not theirs. Our football club is ours not theirs.”
In a symbolic gesture certain to be picked up by match-day television cameras, other Liverpool fan groups, including Spion Kop 1906, have said they will be withdrawing their flags which have adorned the Kop in the absence of fans because of the pandemic. “We, along with other groups, will be removing our flags from the Kop,” tweeted Spion Kop 1906. “We feel we can no longer give our support to a club which puts financial greed above the integrity of the game.”
Manchester City’s official supporters’ club was similarly outspoken. “This proposed new competition has no sporting merit and would seem to be motivated by greed,” it said. “These owners, irrespective of where they come from, seem to think football belongs to them; it doesn’t it belongs to us – the supporters – irrespective of which team we support.”
For once, the red half of Manchester seemed in full agreement with the blue half. “A ‘Super’ League based on a closed shop of self selected wealthy clubs goes against everything football and Manchester United should stand for,” said the Manchester United Supporters Trust. “We urge everyone involved in the proposal, including Manchester United, to immediately withdraw.”
Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust had the same message for the club’s owners, Enic (English National Investment Company). “We call on Enic, the temporary custodians of our club, to distance themselves from any rebel group,” it said. “And to consider the implications fully before making decisions that will fundamentally change the course of history for Tottenham Hotspur forever.”