Arsenal become the latest Premier League club to REJECT the new European Super League proposals and reaffirm their commitment to UEFA
Arsenal have become the latest club to reject the revived European Super League, with the Gunners reaffirming their commitment to UEFA competitions.
They join fellow Premier League clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea – among the six who attempted to break away in 2021 – in publicly distancing themselves from the relaunched Super League.
Liverpool have not yet commented.
A Statement from Arsenal read: 'Arsenal Football Club takes note of the ruling of the European Court of Justice on Thursday 21 December 2023 and our position towards the European Super League has not changed.
“We will continue to play in UEFA competitions and work with other European clubs and the European Club Association (ECA).”
Arsenal have become the latest Premier League club to back away from revived plans for a breakaway from the European Super League
Premier League clubs are on the verge of ditching the new Super League format despite a landmark ruling
Top clubs are at least a way to join the Super League after fan outrage in 2021
After the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled that UEFA and FIFA had 'abused a dominant position' by threatening the original 12 clubs trying to break away in 2021, Super League organizers wasted no time unveiling version 2.0 of their project.
A22 declared 'the UEFA monopoly is over, football is free' and then outlined proposals for a men's competition of 64 top European teams across three divisions, aimed at destroying UEFA's Champions League.
Participants were given 'guaranteed income' and solidarity payments, while fans were told that each match would take place on a free digital streaming platform.
But by the end of the day it was clear that only the Spanish big two, Barcelona and Real Madrid, remained emphatically in favor of the Super League.
Manchester United were the first of the Premier League's 'big six' to make a statement following Thursday's news.
It said: 'Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participating in UEFA competitions and to working positively with UEFA, the Premier League and fellow clubs through the ECA in the further development of the European game.”
Chelsea's statement read: 'Today's judgment by the European Court of Justice does not change Chelsea FC's position.
The ruling comes as a huge blow to FIFA and UEFA, which are led by Gianni Infantino and Aleksander Ceferin respectively
“We believe that by working with the Premier League, the FA and other European clubs and through our strong relationship with UEFA and FIFA, we can continue to develop the European game together for the benefit of all.”
Man City said: 'Manchester City Football Club confirmed in 2021 that it had formally established the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
'Our position has not changed. We remain committed to the values of European football, and we will continue to work with fellow clubs through the ECA and participate in UEFA competitions.”
Tottenham's statement read: 'Following today's (Thursday 21 December) ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in relation to the European Super League (ESL), we would like to confirm that our position has not changed.
“We remain committed to the values of European football, and we will continue to work with fellow clubs through the ECA and participate in UEFA competitions.”
Even if the Premier League clubs wanted to join the Super League, the government promised to ban them from doing so.
While the European Court of Justice ruling is a huge boost for supporters of the European Super League, Rishi Sunak insisted that the Football Governance Bill – forthcoming legislation – would be used to ban British clubs from participating in a new competition.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to block the European Super League during its first launch attempt in 2021.
The UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport issued a statement on Thursday condemning the revised plans.
It reads: 'The attempt to create a breakaway was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the government.
“We took decisive action at the time by initiating the fan-led review of football's governing body, which called for the creation of a new independent regulator for English football.
“We will soon bring forward legislation that will make this a reality and will stop clubs from participating in similar breakaway competitions in the future.”
Senior Conservative MP Dame Caroline Dineage – chair of the culture, media and sport selection committee – warned the Premier League's 'big six' clubs against getting involved in the new European Super League plans.
“The announcement of the European Super League in 2021 prioritized finances over fans and any revival of it is not in the interests of English football,” she said.