The European Super League: The PM will meet governing bodies over 'ludicrous' plans
Author: Joel Griffiths | Tuesday 20th April 2021
Boris Johnson is meeting officials from governing bodies, the FA and Premier League as well as fans’ representatives, later to discuss the proposed European Super League. The PM described the new league as ludicrous, which includes six English clubs.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - have signed up to the league. They would join Spanish sides Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona and Italian clubs AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan.
The competition would have 20 teams and another five sides would have to qualify each year for the competition. Matches would take place midweek and rival the existing Champions League.
The 12 founding members of the league face a fierce backlash after unveiling proposals for a breakaway tournament.
One insisted they were doing it to "save football".
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said the decision to create the new league, which his club would be a part of, was in part taken because "young people are no longer interested" in the game.
He told a Spanish TV show: "Audiences are decreasing and rights are decreasing and something had to be done. We are all ruined. Television has to change so we can adapt."
The proposed league - which has been described as a football "closed shop" by a government minister - has united MPs from every party against it.
Under the plans - revealed on Sunday - the 12 founding football clubs would be permanent members and never face relegation.
The likes of Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and Gary Lineker have called on the wider footballing community, as well as politicians, to mobilise against “a direct attack on football in this country.”
