Football fans have begun
protests outside stadiums across
England as anger over the proposed European Super League grew.
Liverpool,
Manchester United,
Manchester City,
Chelsea, Arsenal, and
Tottenham on Sunday joined six other European clubs in announcing plans for a new midweek competition which could effectively lead to a “closed shop” for the super clubs.
The anger the plans have generated prompted fans to turn up outside grounds on Monday evening, despite games being played behind closed doors because of the Covid pandemic.Fans hold a banner outside Elland Road." data-caption="Fans hold a banner outside Elland Road." data-rich-caption="Fans hold a banner outside Elland Road." data-credit="PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images" data-credit-link-back="" />Fans display banners at The Emirates opposing
Arsenal signing up for the newly proposed Super League." data-caption="Fans display banners at The Emirates opposing Arsenal signing up for the newly proposed Super League." data-rich-caption="Fans display banners at The Emirates opposing Arsenal signing up for the newly proposed Super League." data-credit="Charlotte Wilson/Offside via Getty Images" data-credit-link-back="" />Anti-European Super League posters hang outside Anfield, home of Liverpool." data-caption="Anti-European Super League posters hang outside Anfield, home of Liverpool." data-rich-caption="Anti-European Super League posters hang outside Anfield, home of Liverpool." data-credit="PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images" data-credit-link-back="" />Football fans opposing the European Super League outside Old Trafford in Manchester." data-caption="Football fans opposing the European Super League outside Old Trafford in Manchester." data-rich-caption="Football fans opposing the European Super League outside Old Trafford in Manchester." data-credit="Tim Markland - PA Images via Getty Images" data-credit-link-back="" />Anfield stadium." data-caption="Anfield stadium." data-rich-caption="Anfield stadium." data-credit="PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images" data-credit-link-back="" />The Emirates Stadium." data-caption="The Emirates Stadium." data-rich-caption="The Emirates Stadium." data-credit="TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images" data-credit-link-back="" />With
Liverpool in action at Leeds on Monday night, fans of both clubs gathered outside Elland Road before kick-off.
At Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, fans displayed a banner reading “Created by the poor, stolen by the rich”.
At Anfield, banners called for the removal of
American ownership group FSG and others declared “LFC RIP – 1892-2021”, while a fan arrived at Tottenham’s training ground with a placard reading “Say No To Super League”.
Meanwhile, Leeds United players wore T-shirts reading “Champions League - Earn It” prior to the Liverpool game.On Monday, the government promised to do “whatever it takes” to stop six English
Football clubs
BREAKING away from mainstream competition.
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden condemned the clubs as “tone deaf” and said he would not stand by and “watch football be cravenly stripped” of what the fans love about it.
He said the government would give “full backing” to the
Premier League and other football bodies, which are considering
sanctions to stop the clubs breaking away.
Critics believe it would fundamentally distort competition in Europe for the benefit of the richest few clubs.
Among the sanctions under consideration by the football bodies are kicking the teams out of the Premier League and banning their players from playing for international teams.Related...Government Pledges To Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ To Stop Football ‘Super League’Football Clubs Joining European Super League May Have To Repay Covid Cash, No. 10 SaysWhat Is The European Super League And Why Is Everyone So Angry About It?