English Football League (EFL) have welcomed the decision of the six English Premier League clubs to withdraw from the European Super League (ESL).
Following what the EFL described as ‘widespread opposition’ across clubs, supporters and politicians both in UK and aboard, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all withdrew from the ESL yesterday evening (20 April 2021).
Discussing their feelings on the fierce reaction against the Super League plans, the EFL admitted that they feel ‘heartened’ and ‘proud to be a part of a unified footballing system that promotes open competition’ as well allowing all clubs and communities to dream big.
EFL however iterated that the football system needs to ‘be protected’ from such proposals that threatens ‘the sporting principles of the football pyramid that our founding members pioneered over a century ago.’
Offering their view on why the ESL failed in dramatic fashion less than 48 hours after their proposals were announced, EFL officials pointed to the planned league being based on ‘a model of distorted and unfair financial distributions’ that can also be said of the current English game.
It is now hoped that everyone from club staff to players and supporters are able to channel ‘the same enthusiasm’ towards pushing for ‘appropriate and much needed change’ in how money is distributed across England’s domestic football pyramid.
The EFL have vowed to work alongside all relevant parties in order to push for reform and an economic reset, in order to pursue a sustainable future for all clubs and the sport which promotes the principles that have been fought for across multiple generations.
Those reforms will also consider UEFA’s controversial new restructuring of the Champions League, which will pose ‘an existential threat’ to the domestic game and specifically the League Cup which many EFL clubs rely on for ‘vital income’ financially.
Concluding their statement, the EFL spoke of their plans to ’embrace’ the Government’s fan-led review into the sport and have confirmed that they will contribute to discussions and help shape decisions to ensure that the ‘best interests of supporters’ and clubs are served.
The EFL’s statement comes after Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan became the latest clubs to withdraw from the ESL.
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