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The Football Association has opened an inquiry into the attempt to form a breakaway European Super League.
Last month, 12 clubs — with six from England — announced that they would be breaking away from existing European competition and setting up their own 20-team Super League. After significant opposition, the plan was scrapped just two days later.
Now the FA have asked the six English clubs involved to provide information and evidence around their participation.
The Premier League have also said they will seek to hold clubs “accountable” for their actions around the Super League.
Which English clubs were involved in the Super League?
The clubs involved are all members of the supposed Big Six in the Premier League.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham were involved in the announcement of the breakaway league last month.
All withdrew within two days of the plan being made public.
What has the FA said?
In a statement on Monday, they said: “Since we became aware of the European Super League our priority and focus has been on preventing it from happening, both now and in the future.
“Throughout this period, we have been in ongoing discussions with the government, the Premier League and UEFA.
“In particular, we have been discussing legislation with government that would allow us to prevent any similar threat in the future so that we can protect the English football pyramid.
“Last week, we started an official inquiry into the formation of the European Super League and the involvement of the six English clubs. We wrote to all of the clubs to formally request all relevant information and evidence regarding their participation.
“Once we have the required information, we will consider what appropriate steps to take. Clearly what happened was unacceptable and could have caused great harm to clubs at every level of English football.
“The fans have played a vital and impactful role in helping to stop the European Super League from happening, and we understand their frustrations.
“However, we cannot condone the violent and criminal behaviour that took place before the scheduled Manchester United vs Liverpool match, which The FA is now investigating.”
What has the Premier League said?
They also released a statement on Monday, which read: “The events of the last two weeks have challenged the foundations and resolve of English football.
“The Premier League has prepared a series of measures to enshrine the core principles of the professional game: an open pyramid, progression through sporting merit and the highest standards of sporting integrity. These measures are designed to stop the threat of breakaway leagues in the future.
“Opposition to the proposed Super League united the whole of football, with the fans’ voice clearly heard. The Premier League recognises the strength of feeling and the right of fans to know what is happening.
“We are committed to maintaining close dialogue with supporters and their representatives, as we work with The FA and Government to identify solutions, but ask that all protests are peaceful.
“The actions of a minority of those present at Old Trafford on Sunday have no justification and will be investigated by the Premier League and The FA as well as by the Greater Manchester Police.
“The actions of a few clubs cannot be allowed to create such division and disruption. We are determined to establish the truth of what happened and hold those clubs accountable for their decisions and actions.
“We and The FA are pursuing these objectives quickly and appropriately, consulting with fans and government. In addition, the Premier League, supported by The FA, is taking the following actions to protect our game, our clubs and their fans from further disruption and uncertainty:
Additional rules and regulation to ensure the principles of the Premier League and open competition are protected
A new Owners’ Charter that all club owners will be required to sign up to, committing them to the core principles of the Premier League
Breaches of these rules and the Charter will be subject to significant sanctions
We are enlisting the support of government to bring in appropriate legislation to protect football’s open pyramid, principles of sporting merit and the integrity of the football community
“We will work with the fan groups, government, UEFA, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA to defend the integrity and future prospects of English football.”
What happened with the Super League?
Last Sunday, a breakaway competition was announced with 12 participants: Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus, Inter, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Milan, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.
The project, led by Real president Florentino Perez, received backlash from UEFA, FIFA and national divisions and sparked protests outside stadiums in England.
Then, 48 hours after the initial announcement, news broke that Chelsea would be withdrawing from the project. This was followed by formal withdrawals from City, Arsenal, Liverpool, United, Tottenham and finally Chelsea themselves.
The following day, Atletico Madrid and Inter walked away from the Super League, with AC Milan and Juventus also issuing statements distancing themselves from the proposals in its current form.
While Real Madrid and Barcelona are still to publicly declare an intent to leave the Super League, the project appears to be in disarray after the withdrawal of at least eight of the 12 founding members.
And yet, Perez told Spanish radio El Larguero that the Super League is “not dead”.
“We are going to keep working,” he said. “We are looking for ways of getting this done. It would be a shame not to get it done.”
Is there anything else I need to know?
Yes. After Sunday’s protests at Old Trafford, Oliver Kay has taken a look at how the Super League backlash has brought English football to a tipping point.
saw this article on Athletic