The world of football was set alight when news of a new European Super League involving many of the largest clubs in Europe broke on Sunday evening.
Since then, major figures from across the sport, as well as celebrities and politicians, have weighed in with near-universal condemnation of the plans.Here’s what they had to say.
5. Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition
“My first stance is that it’s really for the Premier League and Uefa to try and sort this out with the clubs. But, if not, I’m really detecting now a willingness among politicians to legislate if that is necessary. It’s not an area where you’d expect legislation, but the strength of feeling is such that if the government is prepared to bring forward legislation, we would certainly look at it and support it. “I think we’ve been on a slippery slope. I’m afraid the Premier League, Uefa, and the government have to take some responsibility for that. That is all contributing to this being a watershed moment, and it needs to be a watershed moment in the positive sense, that fans and others rise up against it to stop it.” Photo: (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
6. Gary Neville, former Manchester United player and Sky Sports pundi
“You’ve got to write to your MPs, your local football clubs. Everyone’s got to come behind this. Pundits for BBC, ITV, BT Sport - forget allegiances, forget who you support, we have got to come together to stop this proposal. “I can’t sit here and say to the players of Liverpool and Manchester United ‘go on strike’ because that wouldn’t be right. But lads, if you’ve got it in you, you can stop this you can mobilise. Jurgen Klopp can stop it, he’s a man of integrity. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can stop it, he’s a man of integrity. They can all contribute to stopping it, because this is an attack by six wealthy families on the integrity of our national sport.” Photo: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
7. Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool player and Sky Sports pundit
“I think supporters up and down this country can stop this, I really do believe it. I think at the forefront of that will be Liverpool, because I’ve seen it before. “Football fans, get together, all of us. In TV, pundits, players, managers; get together and stop this, because it can be stopped, I’m convinced of it. And going forward that’s what we need; marches on stadiums, fans getting together. This can not be allowed to happen.” Photo: (Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images)
8. James Milner, Liverpool player
“I can only say my personal opinion, I don’t like it and hopefully it doesn’t happen. “I can only imagine what has been said about it and I probably agree with most of it. “I think the players obviously have no say, so the welcome we got to the ground tonight felt a bit unjust because we are here to play football and have no control of it." Photo: (Photo by Peter Powell - Pool/Getty Images)