NewsClick

NewsClick
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Covid-19
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • International
  • Sports
  • Articles
  • Videos
search
menu

SUBSCRIBE AND SUPPORT

image/svg+xml
  • All Articles
  • Newsclick Articles
  • All Videos
  • Newsclick Videos
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • Sports
  • International
  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • Palestine
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • US
  • West Asia
About us
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
Newsletter
Facebook - Newsclick Twitter - Newsclick Instagram - Newsclick Youtube - Newsclick RSS - Newsclick
close menu
×
You deserve independent, critical media. Subscribe and Support
sports
International

Super League in Tatters After English and Italian Clubs, Atletico Madrid Pull Out

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are the only clubs left following the English ‘big six’ led exodus from the Super League.
Newsclick Sports
21 Apr 2021
Chelsea FC fans protest against the Super League

Chelsea FC fans protest outside Stamford Bridge against the club’s decision to join Super League (Pic: Twitter, Times of Israel).

The three Italian clubs who were involved -- Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus -- and Atletico Madrid dropped out of the Super League on Wednesday, leaving the new competition high and dry even before it started.

The move came a day after the six Premier League clubs exited the controversial breakaway competition, rendering it unviable. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur jumped ship after backlash from their supporters and warnings from football’s governing bodies and the government, which threatened with legislation to thwart them.

Also Read | Ahmedabad to Host 2021 ICC T20 World Cup Final: Report

Atlético, following a decision by its board of directors, and Inter Milan were the first clubs to make the announcement Wednesday, followed by AC Milan. “The voices and the concerns of fans around the world have clearly been expressed about the Super League, and AC Milan must be sensitive to the voice of those who love this wonderful sport,” the Italian club said.

Juventus followed immediately, but said the plan of Super League is still on, but not immediately. “While Juventus remains convinced of the soundness of the project’s sport, commercial and legal premises, it believes that at present there are limited chances that the project be completed in the form originally conceived,” the club said. “Juventus remains committed to pursuing the creation of long-term value for the Company and the entire football industry.”

As things stand, only Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are officially involved in the project. They are yet to comment on their stance. As per reports, there is pressure within the Catalan club to give up the project with Barca skipper Gerard Piqué, outspoken as ever, tweeting that “Football belongs to the fans. Today more than ever”.

Also Read | Cricket Anti Corruption Units Face New Challenge From Bitcoins

Barcelona’s presence in the new league was always on thin ice since the structure of the club is such that it had to be ratified by its general assembly. 

La Liga, to start with, had campaigned vigorously against the Super League, with messaging and campaigns going on at the sidelines of scheduled league matches on Wednesday and Thursday. 

On Monday, UEFA threatened to ban players from the participating teams from playing in this year’s European Championship (Euro) and next year’s FIFA World Cup. But a Madrid court later issued a preliminary ruling stopping UEFA, FIFA and its members from acting against the creation of the new league.

The Super League was intended to be a 20-team competition with 15 founding members guaranteed a spot every season and five other teams rotating in and out. The lack of relegation for the founding members raised concerns about the consequences for smaller clubs in the domestic leagues around the continent.

(With inputs from AP)

Read more sports stories from Newsclick

Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
Super League
Super League status
FC Barcelona
Real Madrid
English Big six
Super League exit
UEFA
La Liga
Juventus
AC Milan
Inter Milan
Atletico Madrid
Manchester City
Manchester United
Liverpool
Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur
Euro 2021
FIFA World Cup
Super League sanctions
European Super league
Related Stories
AFCON and the politics of football

AFCON and the Politics of the Beautiful Game

Playthings S2, Ep3 Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal Makes it 21; Football Bosses Disappoint

Playthings S2 Ep1 Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic Wins in Court; But Will He Make It On Court?

Playthings Ep-7 Solskjaer gets sacked by Manchester United

​Ole Gunnar Solskjær Sacking: ​Manchester United ​Treat the Symptom ​without ​Addressing the Disease

Former FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez

FC Barcelona Sack Ronald Koeman, Xavi Hernandez Frontrunner for the Job

UEFA and European Super League court case

UEFA Forced to Drop Cases Against Rebel European Super League Clubs

FIFA World Cup calendar changes

FIFA to Consult National Football Associations on Biennial World Cup Plans

Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain

Lionel Messi Dreams to Lead PSG to Champions League Glory

Euro 2020 tournament wrap

Euro 2020 on 420 Grams: The Final Show With Renedy, Vincenzo, Ishfaq and More

England vs Denmark highlights and review

England Dive Into a Euros Final, Break Danish Hearts & More (Euro 2020 on 420 Grams)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share
You deserve independent, critical media. We want readers like you. Support independent, critical media. Subscribe to Newsclick.

Subscribe and Support


Latest

  • Flights, Tourism in Kashmir Not a Sign of Normalcy: Omar Abdullah

    Flights, Tourism in Kashmir Not a Sign of Normalcy: Omar Abdullah

  • health

    One Lakh NHM Staff in UP Not Paid Salaries Due to ‘Lack of Budget’

  • J&K: Part of Under-Construction Tunnel in Ramban Collapses; 10 Labourers Trapped, 3 Rescued

    J&K: Part of Under-Construction Tunnel in Ramban Collapses; 10 Labourers Trapped, 3 Rescued

  • Madrasas

    UP: No State Funds for New Madrasas; Teachers’ Union Doubts 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' Objective

  • Load More
Newsletter
About us
Grievance Redressal Mechanism