The six Premier League clubs involved in the European Super League (ESL) have agreed to make a combined “goodwill” payment of £22m as a punishment for joining the breakaway league.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham had all joined a breakaway European Super League that was thwarted in 48 hours due to fan protests.
Should the biggest clubs in England attempt a similar money-grab project again, the clubs will be fined £25m each and have a hefty 30 points deducted from their season.
UEFA has temporarily paused disciplinary proceedings against Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid who are yet to quit the Super League. They are the only three remaining clubs out of the 12 founding members who have stood their ground.
European football’s governing body had opened disciplinary proceedings against them in May but has decided to have a dialogue with 3 of the biggest clubs in world football to see how things should proceed.
Juventus had already been warned by the Italian FA that they would be suspended from next season’s Serie A if they chose to remain a part of the Super League but there has been no further talk around this or clarity about what will happen next season.
In a joint statement, the Football Association and Premier League said the English clubs had “collectively agreed” to make a payment of £22m as “a gesture of goodwill”.
The money “will go towards the good of the game”, which includes “new investment in support for fans” and will help fund grassroots and community projects.
“The six clubs involved in proposals to form a European Super League have acknowledged once again that their actions were a mistake, and have reconfirmed their commitment to the Premier League and the future of the English game,” the two bodies said in a statement.
“They have wholeheartedly apologised to their fans, fellow clubs, the Premier League and the FA.
“The Premier League and the FA have worked closely together throughout this process, and this agreement brings both investigations into the matter to a conclusion.”
Manchester United’s owners the Glazer family, Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, Arsenal’s majority shareholders Kroenke Sports Enterprises and Tottenham’s owners will pay the fine rather than their clubs.
