Explained: Why Did Thousands Of Football Fans Took To Streets In London And Other Parts Of England? | European Super League

Since the announcement of European Super League, Football fans around the globe have protested against it on social media and in real too. Read the following report for more details.

(File Photos/ Getty Images)

London: On April 18, 2021, 12 of Europe’s financially strong football clubs decided to break away from the prestigious Champions League and form a European Super League (ESL) of their own. Real Madrid is at the forefront of this plan along with other clubs from Spain, England and Italy. But much to the relief of fans of the beautiful sport, ESL looks as good as canceled since the six premier league clubs from England decided to back out of the Super League. The weekend Premier League football saw a plethora of football fans protesting outside the stadiums of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

But what is this European Super League?

ESL is basically a proposed league that will include 12 of the richest teams in Europe. Teams like Man United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid had signed up for this league. This league evaded all forms of qualifications that are present in the current structure of the Champions League. 15 teams would be permanent and 5 would get a chance based on their domestic performance.

It faced a lot of opposition from fans and ex-footballers. Gary Neville in a show on Sky Sports said: “They are imposters… the owners; they have nothing to do with football.” Such angry reactions from fans forced the teams to withdraw from the Super League.

The Protests At Large

Arsenal faced Everton in their recent Premier League game on Friday night, which they lost 0-1. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, fans are not allowed inside the stadium for any sports matches. But, even after the pandemic restrictions in place, thousands of football fans gathered outside the Emirates Stadium of Arsenal. Here are some of the visuals from the protest before the match:

Not only Arsenal fans but Chelsea and Manchester United fans also took to the streets to mark their disappointment and disagreement with the proposed European Super League.

Manchester United also carried out a #GlazersOut protest outside Old Trafford, which is their fortress.

But what is the reason behind these protests?

The protests in London and various parts of England are taking place to voice out against the proposed European Super League. Fans claim that the owners of the football clubs are only seeking profit and in the process killing the competition in football. If the ESL happens, then the fans are afraid that the smaller clubs will cease to exist as all the sponsors and money would be diverted to the ESL.

ESL essentially stops teams from top leagues of Europe, apart from the 12 teams to participate in the cash-rich competition.

The fans felt that this is a betrayal of their loyalties that they have shown towards heir football clubs over the years. Even though the six Premier League Clubs have withdrawn from the Super League, the protests haven’t stopped. The fans are making their voice heard loud and clear.

 Where does the ESL stand as of now?

Six premier league clubs including Man United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham have withdrawn. Inter Milan and AC Milan have also withdrawn from ESL after the angry reaction by fans. 

Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez is still adamant about the ESL taking place. He said “We’re going to continue working,” said Perez. “The project is on standby.”

He said that the 12 clubs “have not left yet”.

“You cannot get out of the contract like this – they are binding contracts.”