And just like that, it all fell apart. The European Super League was a brief thunderstorm, devastating all in its path before evaporating.
On Tuesday evening, news broke that Chelsea were about to withdraw from the planned European Super League. Their match against Brighton was delayed due to fan protests at Stamford Bridge stopping the team coach from arriving at the ground.
Images of club legend Petr Cech trying to calm the crowd down went viral before the news broke. Shortly afterwards, rumours that Manchester City would also withdraw from the European Super League began.
It was clear that as soon as one club withdrew, they all would. Considering the massive outcry from the media, fans, even players, the rest would have to follow suit.
Read: European Super League – Proposed Format And How It Will Be Pulled Off
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson released a short statement condemning the new competition on behalf of all Liverpool players.
Manchester United players also spoke out against it, as well as Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin. Following the disparaging comments of James Milner and Leeds striker Patrick Bamford from the day before, it was clear which way opinion was turning. If the players were against it too, then the Super League had little hope.
Then, reports surfaced that Manchester United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward was due to resign. At this point it was clear that even if the new league didn’t go ahead, the consequences for the breakaway clubs will resonate for years.
Read: European Super League Announced by 12 Teams
Later that night, statements from Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool confirmed that all the Premier League teams who signed up for the Super League had now backed out.
Unfortunately, this will leave a stain on English football that won’t easily be cleansed. This won’t be the end of it either. Stan Kroenke, Joel Glazer and John Henry are ruthless businessmen. A European Super League was always their endgame. Unless they leave football for good, this will come back.
