English PM threatens new laws over European Super League plot
Boris Johnson has threatened new laws over the European Super League plot – and backed Prem bosses to kick out the ‘Big Six’ if they want to.
The PM vowed not to stand by “while a small handful of owners create a closed shop” and promised to back fans all the way.
Six of Britain’s top clubs are forming a super league of 12 European heavyweights – which will radically alter the face of football as we know it.
But the PM, ministers, fans, and the public have rounded on the plans, which will eliminate competition and generate extra cash for the top clubs.
As founding members, the top clubs would be guaranteed involvement every season for 23 years with huge financial gain while abandoning the English game.
Supporters, pundits, and now footballers, including Liverpool’s James Milner, have made their feelings clear that they do not want the Super League to go ahead – with the 12 owners chasing more money.
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PM however vowed to do all he could to stop it from going ahead in a meeting with top footie bosses.
Downing Street said today the PM “expressed his solidarity with football fans and agreed they must always be at the heart of any decisions about the future of the game.”
They added: “He reiterated his unwavering support for the football authorities and confirmed they have the government’s full backing to take whatever action necessary to put a stop to these plans.”
The PM urged clubs who were reported to be wobbling to pull back from the brink.
The group agreed that any club should always have the chance to play and win against the biggest football players in the game.
And the PM stuck to his guns over possible new laws to stop the group going ahead with their plot.
No10 said: “The Prime Minister confirmed the government will not stand by while a small handful of owners create a closed shop.
“He was clear that no action is off the table and the government is exploring every possibility, including legislative options, to ensure these proposals are stopped.”
Culture Sec Oliver Dowden insisted nothing was off the table – including banning foreign transfers or extra taxes.
Footie bodies have said the players might be banned from playing in the current leagues, or for representing their country too.
Earlier today UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin urged the bosses of England’s ‘Big Six’ clubs who have signed up to the breakaway European Super League to “come to their senses”.
It came as cracks started to appear in the plan today – with one Premier League club reported to be seriously considering pulling out after the furious backlash.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have cancelled an all-staff meeting scheduled for Tuesday to explain the club’s ESL plans.
The remaining ‘angry and dismayed’ 14 Premier League clubs are meeting today to discuss how to deal with the other six – and could even order them to quit the division.
Politico’s Alex Wickham reported that one of the group may try and get out of the deal, accusing breakaway leaders Liverpool and United of ‘lying to them and f***ing up’.