Michael Olunga QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune scores a QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune hat-trick to star in Al Duhail’s thrilling win in AFC Champions THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 League PAGE 14 Atletico Madrid, AC and Inter Milan depart as Super League collapses A man walks past a grafiti entitled “The failed coup” (Il Golpe Fallito) by Italian artist Laika, showing Juven- Fans carry posters reacting to the collapse of the planned creation of a European Super League, as they surround a television crew outside the Totten- tus President Andrea Agnelli puncturing a football, near the headquarters of the Italian Football Federation ham Hotspur Stadium in London on Wednesday, ahead of the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton. (AFP) in Rome on Wednesday. (AFP) of the project’s sport, commer- just hours before the expan- from a number of political Juventus retreat cial and legal premises” and NOW ONLY SPANISH GIANTS REAL MADRID AND BARCELONA OFFICIALLY sion of the Champions League leaders,” he told a news con- “committed to pursuing the REMAIN AFTER JUVENTUS ALSO CONCEDED ON WEDNESDAY THAT “AT from 2024 was confirmed and ference on Wednesday when to plan further creation of long-term value for threatened to ban players from asked about his thoughts on the Company and the entire PRESENT THERE ARE LIMITED CHANCES THAT THE PROJECT BE international football. Clubs the Super League. DPA football industry.” COMPLETED IN THE FORM ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED.” also ran the risk of being kicked The European Super LONDON Atletico said they had out of their domestic leagues. League itself said it would “re- joined “in response to circum- The 53-year-old Slovene shape the project” after the THE breakaway European stances that no longer exist ball into disarray and sparking to all the fans and supporters sibility of the plan succeeding however appeared in the mood English rethink but it would Super League announced by today” while Inter said “our rage among virtually everyone ... for the disruption I caused was 100 per cent.But with clubs to move on quickly rather than continue with the new Euro- 12 elite sides on Sunday has engagement with all stake- with an interest in the game - over the last 48 hours. departing at a tremendous rate consider recriminations. pean competition as the “ex- effectively collapsed after holders to improve the football fans, governing bodies, play- “It goes without saying but this became unfeasible. “I said yesterday that it is isting system does not work.” Atletico Madrid, AC and In- industry will never change. ers, media and even British should be said, the project put Agnelli called for dia- admirable to admit a mistake With their numbers decimated ter Milan joined the six-strong “Inter believes that foot- Prime Minister Boris Johnson forward was never going to logue with ruling body FIFA and these clubs made a big that now looks impossible and English contingent in quitting ball ... must have an interest and French President Emma- stand without the support of and European confederation mistake,” Ceferin said. a retreat to the umbrella of the project. in constantly improving its nuel Macron. the fans.” Liverpool along with UEFA but they have little need “But they are back in the UEFA seems inevitable, even Now only Spanish giants competitions, to keep on excit- Seven-time European Manchesters City and United, to make major concessions with fold now and I know they have if they wish to continue to Real Madrid and Barcelona of- ing fans of all ages around the champions AC Milan were lit- Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur the Super League now stalled. a lot to offer not just to our push for change. ficially remain after Juventus world, within a framework of tle more conciliatory in admit- and Chelsea withdrew on German giants Bayern competitions but to the whole UEFA, with key figures from also conceded on Wednesday financial sustainability. ting “the voices and the con- Tuesday less than two days af- Munich and Borussia Dort- of the European game.” Bayern and PSG on their ex- that “at present there are lim- “With this vision we look cerns of fans around the world ter declaring their intention to mund, and French side Paris International Olympic ecutive committee as members ited chances that the project forward to carry on working have clearly been expressed form a new competition. Saint-Germain all rejected the Committee (IOC) president representing the European Club be completed in the form orig- together with institutions and about the Super League, and Italian record champions chance to become permanent Thomas Bach said he was “en- Association and with Champi- inally conceived.” all stakeholders for the future AC Milan must be sensitive to Juventus initially insisted they members of the league which couraged” by the support to ons League reform approved, The Turin side, in their of the sport we all love.” the voice of those who love this remained committed to the would include five more teams value-based sports organisa- are well placed to defend them- English language statement, The statements from the wonderful sport.” breakaway. “Between our clubs through unspecified qualifica- tions and competitions. selves in the short-term. did not formally say they pair were similar in language Liverpool’s main owner there is a blood pact, we will tion each year. “We also noted with great The implication from Ju- would withdraw however and to that of the English six and John W Henry eventually held continue,” Juventus chief An- UEFA president Aleksand- satisfaction the broad support ventus though suggests the insisted they remain both offered little in way of apology his hands up and said in a club drea Agnelli to La Repubblica er Ceferin reacted furiously from all corners of Europe, battle for the future of Euro- “convinced of the soundness for throwing European foot- video he wanted “to apologize on Wednesday, saying the pos- to the announcement made from the fans and, in this case, pean football is far from over. THE EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE STORM AND AFTER Liverpool owner apologises to fans British newspapers victorious ‘Big Six’ could face sanctions DPA DPA PA MEDIA/DPA holding those (clubs) involved LONDON LONDON LONDON to account under its rules.” Section L9 of the league’s LIVERPOOL’S principal owner John W BRITISH NEWSPAPERS were victo- ENGLISH football’s ‘Big Six’ handbook states member Henry has apologized for his part in the rious on Wednesday after all of the so- clubs could still face Premier clubs shall not enter or play proposed European Super League. called big six English clubs announced League sanctions despite in extra competitions without Henry said in a video posted by the their decision to step down from the backing out of the breakaway the prior written approval of club on Twitter Wednesday that the European Super League (ESL). Super League. the league’s board. breakaway project would only have The Daily Mail described the Brighton chief executive Tuesday’s statement from worked with fans’ full support. Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry. past few days as “football’s civil war” Paul Barber called for “ap- the league followed an emer- “I want to apologize to all the fans which ended after rich club owners out of the Super League after owners propriate action” to be taken gency meeting of its other 14 and supporters of Liverpool Football fairly so. This is what hurts most. were “shamed by fans, players and do the IMPOSSIBLE and unite play- against the clubs involved on clubs in response to the crisis. Club for the disruption I caused over the “They love your club and work to politicians.” “Defeat of greed”, read ers, coaches, royalty, celebs, God’s Wednesday, even though by By Wednesday, the six had last 48 hours,” he said. “It goes without make you proud every single day. I know the Mail’s headline. best mate and, er, actually the whole then each had indicated their pulled out following a huge saying but should be said, the project the entire LFC team has the expertise The I described the falldown as bloody world, against their greed.” intention to withdraw. backlash from supporters, put forward was never going to stand and passion necessary to rebuild trust an “Own goal!” while left-wing pa- Other newspapers remained The PA news agency un- governing bodies and other without the support of the fans. and help us move forward. per The Daily Mirror chose a play matter-of-fact about the news, derstands the league’s position clubs, as well as their own “No-one ever thought differently in “More than a decade ago when we on words for its front page with the with both The Daily Express and has not altered since it issued players and managers. England. Over these 48 hours you were signed up for the challenges associated phrase “EUR not singing anymore.” The Times stating simply: “Super a statement on Tuesday, when Their withdrawals were very clear that it would not stand. We with football we dreamed of what you And The Sun emulated chants from League crumbles.” Most newspaper all six were still signatories to marked in some cases by apol- heard you. I heard you.” Liverpool and dreamed of and we’ve worked hard to fans at football matches with the front pages solely referred to Chel- the Super League. ogies - and in the case of Man- five otherE nglish sides said they would improve your club. words “Cheerio! Cheerio! Cheerio!” sea and Manchester City pulling out At the time, it said: “The chester United their executive be part of the breakaway league an- “Our work isn’t done and I hope you on its front page, describing the and Manchester United’s chief Ed Premier League is considering vice-chairman Ed Woodward nounced Sunday but they all withdrew understand that even when we make change of heart from clubs as a “huge Woodward stepping down rather all actions available to prevent announced he would leave the in the face of furious opposition by late mistakes, we’re trying to work in your victory for football fans.” than all six of the clubs pulling out it from progressing, as well as club by the end of the year.