All six Premier League teams that were involved in the European Super League (ESL) have now withdrawn from the competition.

In a dramatic turn of events in 48 hours after an official announcement was made about the launching of The Super League and the involvement of the English Premier League’s “Big 6” in the same, there have been major protests by fans, the media, players and coaches to abolish this “Super” League as it is detrimental to football and driven by money.

This forced the clubs to look the other way instead as Manchester City became the first club to pull out after Chelsea had mentioned their intent to do so by preparing documentation to withdraw.

It has been said that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was not keen on joining the Super League since the beginning but did not want to be ‘left behind’ so agreed to join the other European football powerhouses.

Super League

Banners critical of the European Super League project hang from the railings of Anfield (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The other four sides – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – have all now followed suit, withdrawing together as the Premier League handled the paperwork on behalf of the clubs. 

Italian side Inter Milan and Spanish side Atletico de Madrid have also followed their footsteps making it 8 of the 12 “founding” members withdrawing their names from the competition as they no longer wish to be involved in the project that has faced lots of backlash. 

AC Milan are also on their way out, which leaves only Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona in The Super League now.

Following Tuesday night’s dramatic developments, the clubs decided that it was in their best interest to take a step back and not leave the UEFA who welcomed them back with open arms. 

It has also been said that the UEFA rewarded the clubs with some money for breaking ties with the Super League. This money is apparently not going to be offered to the Spanish clubs as they are considered “the enemies”.

The 12-team Super League was announced on Sunday to widespread public disdain and anger.

“Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure put on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations,” the ESL said on Wednesday, adding it was “convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change”.

For the first time, a senior figure in the ESL acknowledged publicly what seemed inevitable once the English teams pulled out on Tuesday evening/night.

Asked on whether he believes the project could still happen, ESL founder and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli told Reuters: “To be frank and honest, no. Evidently that is not the case.

“I remain convinced of the beauty of that project, of the value that it would have developed to the pyramid, of the creation of the best competition in the world, but evidently no. I don’t think that project is now still up and running.”

Andrea Agnelli resigned from his post soon after and is majorly at fault for the creation of this league that got the 12 clubs involved to be known as the “Dirty Dozen”.

Barcelona say they agreed to the ESL, but only if the Season Ticket Holders Assembly approve it, which could be their way out. Newly appointed President Joan Laporta has said no decisions will be made without the fans’ consensus.

Manchester City confirmed they have “formally enacted the procedures to withdraw” from the Super League.

Liverpool said their involvement in the proposed breakaway league “has been discontinued”.

 

Manchester United said they had “listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders” in making their decision to not take part.

 

Arsenal apologised in an open letter to their fans and said they had “made a mistake”, adding they were withdrawing after listening to them and the “wider football community”.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said the club regretted the “anxiety and upset” caused by the proposal.

Chelsea

Chelsea legend Petr Cech talking to Chelsea fans during the Super League protests (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Chelsea confirmed they have “begun the formal procedures for withdrawal from the group” that they only joined “late last week”.

Manchester City and Chelsea felt betrayed and lied to by Manchester United’s Ed Woodward who forged this plan of this money-grabbing football league.