The Prime Minister of Great Britain, Boris Johnson is meeting officials from football governing bodies the FA and the Premier League, as well as fans’ representatives, later to discuss the proposed European Super League.
Boris Johnson described the new league, which includes six leading English clubs, as “ludicrous”.
The 12 founding members of the league faced a fierce backlash after unveiling proposals for a breakaway tournament.
One of these, Real Madrid, insisted they were doing it to “save football”.
Club president Florentino Perez said the decision to create the new league was in part taken because “young people are no longer interested” in the game.
He told a Spanish TV show: “Audiences are decreasing and rights are decreasing and something had to be done. We are all ruined. Television has to change so we can adapt.”
The 14 Premier League clubs not participating in the new venture are also due to discuss their response later.
One of these, Everton, has released a statement criticising the “preposterous arrogance” of the clubs involved.
“The backlash is understandable and deserved,” the club said.
“We urge them all to consider what they wish their legacy to be.”
The proposed tournament would see teams play one another in midweek games in an attempt to have more matches between the big-name clubs.
But fans and pundits have expressed fury at what they say would be an unfair competition that would lock many teams out of top European football.
The proposed league, which has been described as a football “closed shop” by a government minister, has united MPs from every party against it.
The plans revealed on Sunday that the 12 founding football clubs would be permanent members and never face relegation.
Critics say the new league could supplant the existing Champions League and disrupt the current football “pyramid” that sees teams rise or fall on merit.
Writing in the Sun, the prime minister said he was “horrified” at the implications for clubs across the country.
In a direct message to fans, he said: “It is your game – and you can rest assured that I’m going to do everything I can to give this ludicrous plan a straight red.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Breakfast the six English clubs should be expelled from the Premier League, which they have said they aim to remain in while also playing in the European Super League.
“It’s not right what they are doing, it’s not competitive, it’s a closed shop – you can’t have a competition where no one else is allowed in,” he said.
“You can hear, feel and see the anger from almost everyone in football.”
Chairman of the Commons’ Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Julian Knight, said restricting work visas for footballers who play in the proposed ESL could be one way the government could pull levers to stop the league going ahead.
Source-BBC
