14 remaining Premier League clubs ‘unanimously and vigorously reject’ Super League

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

The 14 Premier League clubs not involved in the breakaway European Super League have “unanimously and vigorously rejected” the idea of the new competition.

On Sunday the news broke that six teams within England’s top-flight – Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool – would join three teams from Serie A and three teams from La Liga in forming a new European competition potentially in place of the Champions League.

With no permission gained from UEFA, the clubs are effectively pulling out of all competitions associated with that governing body.

The impact has been felt massively on domestic shores too, however, with the teams in the Premier League not invited believed to be furious at the plans.

Everton, for example, released the following statement on Tuesday:

“Everton is saddened and disappointed to see proposals of a breakaway league pushed forward by six clubs.

14 remaining Premier League clubs that attended today's meeting have "unanimously and vigorously rejected" plans for a Super League and the league has announced it is "considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing"

— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) April 20, 2021

“Six clubs acting entirely in their own interests.

“Six clubs tarnishing the reputation of our league and the game.

“Six clubs choosing to disrespect every other club with whom they sit around the Premier League table.

“Six clubs taking for granted and even betraying the majority of football supporters across our country and beyond.”

The ‘Other 14’

The remaining teams in the Premier League, dubbed by some as the ‘Other 14’, held crisis talks on Tuesday to discuss how they plan to move forward.

Within these talks were believed to have been discussions about potential fines, sanctions, and punishments for the Big Six looking to break away.

According to Sky News, the Super League was “unanimously and vigorously rejected” while the 14 clubs are “considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing”.

A full statement from the Premier League reads as follows:

“The Premier League, alongside The FA, met with clubs today to discuss the immediate implications of the Super League proposal.

“The 14 clubs at the meeting unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans for the competition.

“The Premier League is considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing, as well as holding those Shareholders involved to account under its rules. 

“The League will continue to work with key stakeholders including fan groups, Government, UEFA, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA to protect the best interests of the game and call on those clubs involved in the proposed competition to cease their involvement immediately.  

“The Premier League would like to thank fans and all stakeholders for the support they have shown this week on this significant issue.

“The reaction proves just how much our open pyramid and football community means to people.”