MANCHESTER CITY have quit the European Super League with Chelsea set to follow them in a victory for football.
The Etihad club no longer want to be involved in the rebel league and the Blues are also 'preparing documentation' to request withdrawal.
In what will be a potentially fatal blow to the £4.6billion scheme, Etihad chiefs decided they could no longer be party to the plans that have rocked football to its very foundations.
A high level source with knowledge of the Super League company confirmed that City have sent a letter enacting the process of withdrawing from the initiative.
When asked to confirm if they had withdrawn, City said they could not comment for legal reasons.
MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE
- PICTURED: How it began with secret meeting at Dorchester
- Three of 'Big Six' 'cracking under pressure'
- PM vows new laws and backs Prem to kick out rebels
- EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea stars express concern at team meeting
- Uefa make direct plea to 'Big Six' to make U-turn
- PICTURED: Fan protests around the country
- THE SUN SAYS: Super League has united just about everyone in outrage
- LIVE BLOG: The latest European Super League news and updates
City were the last of the initial six Prem clubs, and the 12th in all, to sign up to the plan hatched by Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United and funded by US investment giant JP Morgan.
Like Chelsea, who are in the process of preparing their withdrawal documents, the Etihad outfit were understood to feel they had no option other than to join the breakaway.
That was despite both clubs’ hierarchies harbouring doubts over the project.
But the fear of missing out on a huge tranche of the initial £3bn joining pot and minimum £130m per year on offer saw both clubs take a bite out of the carrot.
City’s concerns have grown over the past 24 hours, with the backlash intensifying as fans groups castigated the rebel clubs.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
They were also slammed by their Prem rivals, with the League, FA and Government lining up to vow the clubs would simply not be allowed to walk away and join the elite cartel clubs.
And an extra blow to the crumbling project came from Barcelona, who announced they would not join the Super League unless there was a vote of members to approve the move.
President Joan Laporta said: "Barcelona will NOT join the Super League until our socios (fan members) vote for it.
“It's their club, so it's their decision.”
The European Super League was announced on Sunday night and met with a furious backlash from fans, players and authorities.
The plans have also been criticised by the likes of Boris Johnson and Prince William.
The Sun reported earlier today how three Prem teams that signed up were considering pulling out.
A massive fan backlash is believed to be one of the major factors behind half of the six Premier League teams involved having second thoughts.
In total, 12 European teams have announced the setting up of a new franchise league in which they will be free of relegation fears.
Bild claimed there could be as many as three Premier League clubs getting cold feet and that if they break ranks it will bring the whole idea crashing down before it even gets going.
The remaining 14 top-flight clubs met today to discuss how to fight back against the proposals and how they will challenge the six rebels.
A Premier League statement said: "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."
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Source: Read Full Article