Reaction as Chelsea and Man City pull out of European Super League – and Ed Woodward stands down

Manchester City have withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL) – with Chelsea preparing to follow suit according to media reports.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have reportedly also withdrawn, but it is understood other Premier League clubs have not changed their position.

Stamford Bridge chiefs were only thought to have signed up as a founder member of the Super League in order not to be left behind by the rogue breakaway.

But after resounding condemnation from across the political and sporting spectrum, Chelsea appear to have decided to pull out of the competition – less than 48 hours after it was announced.

Fans launched a mass protest outside of Stamford Bridge, with banners criticising the club for their decision to join the controversial Super League.

Brighton and Hove Albion also sported the same ‘Earn It’ t-shirts that Leeds United players wore before their clash with Liverpool last night that infuriated Jurgen Klopp.

And in a sign that the dominoes are really starting to topple, Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman of Manchester United and one of the instigators of the breakaway league resigned his position, according to Sky Spots.

Understandably, the reaction has been fierce:

Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.