Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to navigation
Chelsea fans gather to protest the introduction of the European Super League before the game against Brighton
Chelsea fans gather to protest the introduction of the European Super League before the game against Brighton. Photograph: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty Images
Chelsea fans gather to protest the introduction of the European Super League before the game against Brighton. Photograph: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty Images

England’s big six pull out of European Super League: what they said

This article is more than 2 years old

Arsenal went furthest in their statement, apologising to fans, but there were only brief announcements from Liverpool and Manchester United

The six Premier League clubs who had signed up to become members of a European Super League pulled out on Tuesday night, less than 48 hours after the competition had been announced. It was a startling collapse which began with news that Chelsea, who were playing Brighton at a Stamford Bridge surrounded by protesters, were about to abandon the project. In the end Manchester City became the first club to pull the plug.

Here is what the clubs had to say after their humiliating climbdown.

Manchester City, announced at 9.23pm BST

Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.

Liverpool, 10.55pm

Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued. In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.

Arsenal 10.55pm

The last few days have shown us yet again the depth of feeling our supporters around the world have for this great club and the game we love. We needed no reminding of this but the response from supporters in recent days has given us time for further reflection and deep thought.

It was never our intention to cause such distress, however when the invitation to join the Super League came, while knowing there were no guarantees, we did not want to be left behind to ensure we protected Arsenal and its future.

As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League. We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.

We know it will take time to restore your faith in what we are trying to achieve here at Arsenal but let us be clear that the decision to be part of the Super League was driven by our desire to protect Arsenal, the club you love, and to support the game you love through greater solidarity and financial stability.

Stability is essential for the game to prosper and we will continue to strive to bring the security the game needs to move forward.

The system needs to be fixed. We must work together to find solutions which protect the future of the game and harness the extraordinary power football has to get us on the edge of our seats. Finally, we know this has been hugely unsettling at the end of what has been an incredibly difficult year for us all.

Our aim is always to make the right decisions for this great football club, to protect it for the future and to take us forward. We didn’t make the right decision here, which we fully accept. We have heard you.

Tottenham, 10.55pm

We can confirm that we have formally commenced procedures to withdraw from the group developing proposals for a European Super League (ESL). Chairman Daniel Levy said: “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal. We felt it was important that our club participated in the development of a possible new structure that sought to better ensure financial fair play and financial sustainability whilst delivering significantly increased support for the wider football pyramid.

“We believe that we should never stand still and that the sport should constantly review competitions and governance to ensure the game we all love continues to evolve and excite fans around the world. We should like to thank all those supporters who presented their considered opinions.”

Manchester United, 10.55pm

Manchester United will not be participating in the European Super League. We have listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders. We remain committed to working with others across the football community to come up with sustainable solutions to the long-term challenges facing the game.

Chelsea, 12.45am

As reported earlier this evening, Chelsea Football Club can confirm that it has begun the formal procedures for withdrawal from the group developing plans for a European Super League. Having joined the group late last week, we have now had time to consider the matter fully and have decided that our continued participation in these plans would not be in the best interests of the Club, our supporters or the wider football community.

Chelsea fan protests turn to celebrations as club pulls out of Super League – video

More on this story

More on this story

  • Super League plan facing collapse as Premier League clubs withdraw – as it happened

  • Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel insists club owners ‘have passion for football’

  • All Premier League clubs quit Super League after FA ban warning

  • Ed Woodward to quit Manchester United amid Super League fallout

  • European Super League collapsing as all six English clubs withdraw

  • England’s big six have backed down but Super League fight isn’t over

  • PM sides with fans in Super League outcry – but will he stay with them?

  • Timeline: European Super League’s rise and fall – in two and a half days

Most viewed

Most viewed