Johnson condemns ‘very damaging’ European Super League proposal
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Football clubs reportedly wanting to join a European Super League “must answer to their fans” before going ahead with the “very damaging” change, the Prime Minister has said.
Boris Johnson took to Twitter on Sunday evening to criticise the prospect of six English clubs possibly joining a breakaway continental 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.”
According to reports, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City have signed up to the plan, and will be joined by teams from Italy and Spain.
The mooted shake-up was widely criticised by political leaders including Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
Uefa, the football associations of England, Spain and Italy, plus the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A have also spoken out against the move.
This is greed personified, ripping the heart out of the English game
Mr 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.”
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.”
