The chairman of one of the founding clubs of the breakaway European Super League has said the project can no longer go ahead.
Andrea Agnelli, chairman of Juventus, said that the league was no longer viable following the withdrawal of the six English clubs involved on Tuesday evening.
Shortly after Agnelli’s statement, another club has withdrawn, with Spanish club Atletico Madrid announcing that it will no longer take part in the Super League.
Andrea Agnelli (pictured) was appointed chairman of Juventus in 2010
Asked whether the project could still happen after the exits, Agnelli replied: “To be frank and honest no, evidently that is not the case.”
Agnelli said he remained convinced that European football needed change and he had no regrets about the way the breakaway attempt was made.
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BREAKING: All English clubs pull out of European Super League
“I remain convinced of the beauty of that project,” he said, adding it would have created the best competition in the world.
“But admittedly … I mean, I don’t think that that project is now still up and running,” he said.
Last night (20 April), Chelsea Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United withdrew from the controversial competition, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcoming the exits.
Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward stepped down last night, while Liverpool owner John Henry apologised to fans, Jurgen Klopp and the players for the aborted Super League bid.
The teams announced their departures amid protests from fans and fierce criticism from former players and pundits.
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BREAKING: All English clubs pull out of European Super League
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News that it was a “victory for fans” and “the country has been united in condemning these proposals”.
“We were willing to take very very bold measures to stop this proposal going ahead,” he said.
Mr Dowden added that it was “very important that we don’t see this as the end of the process”, saying: “What this has highlighted more than ever is the need to look at the wider governance of football.”
The plans of a breakaway league were announced on Sunday, 18 April, with 12 clubs, including the ‘Big 6’ in England forming a league backed by JP Morgan providing financial backing.