Boris Johnson condemns plans for English clubs to join European Super League

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night condemned six English football teams who announced plans to join a European Super League. 

Mr Johnson claimed the clubs, which include Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham ‘must answer to their fans’ before launching the ‘very damaging’ change. 

The PM took to Twitter on Sunday evening to criticise the prospect of six English clubs possibly joining a breakaway continental league.

PM Boris Johnson last night condemned six English premier league clubs who announced plans to join a European Super League

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

‘They would strike at the heart of the domestic game, and will concern fans across the country.

‘The clubs involved must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps.’

In an announcement last night, the founding members of the European Super League will be  AC Milan, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool FC, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur. 

Super League sources said three further clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season. 

Uefa, the football associations of England, Spain and Italy, plus the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A have also spoken out against the move.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden described fans as the ‘heartbeat of our national sport’ and said any major decisions about a European league ‘should have their backing’.

‘With many fans, we are concerned that this plan could create a closed shop at the very top of our national game,’ he said.

‘Sustainability, integrity and fair competition are absolutely paramount and anything that undermines this is deeply troubling and damaging for football.’

Uefa has condemned the announcement by the 12 clubs to form a breakaway Super League ‘as soon as practicable’ 

Fans’ groups, including those linked to Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea, have voiced their opposition to the clubs joining a super league.

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) put out a statement calling for club owners Enic to ‘distance themselves from any rebel group’.

Labour leader and Arsenal fan Sir Keir Starmer said the clubs reportedly involved ‘should rethink immediately’ and added that a non-domestic league ‘ignores’ supporters.

‘This proposal risks shutting the door on fans for good, reducing them to mere spectators and consumers,’ he said on Twitter.

Shadow sports minister Alison McGovern – a Liverpool supporter – demanded the Government ‘deliver on what they have promised: a proper, fan-led review of football governance’.

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: ‘This is greed personified, ripping the heart out of the English game, leaving clubs up and down the country to suffer after an awful year.

‘The consequences of these plans reach far and wide. The Government must step in to prevent a small number of greedy, rich owners destroying the game we all love.’

In a statement released by the breakaway clubs: ‘Going forward, the Founding Clubs look forward to holding discussions with UEFA and FIFA to work together in partnership to deliver the best outcomes for the new League and for football as a whole.’  

Florentino Pérez, President Real Madrid CF and the first Chairman of the Super League said:

‘We will help football at every level and take it to its rightful place in the world. Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires.’ 

Joel Glazer, Co-Chairman of Manchester United and Vice-Chairman of the Super League said:

‘By bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider football pyramid.’