‘Shameful’ was trending on Twitter this morning as former Arsenal players, celebrities and fans shared their dismay at news that the club will join five other Premier League outfits as the founding members of a new European Super League.
Twelve of Europe’s leading football clubs have come together to announce they have agreed to establish a new midweek competition, the Super League, governed by its founding clubs, according to a statement released last night.
“AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have all joined as founding clubs.
“It is anticipated that a further three clubs will join ahead of the inaugural season, which is intended to commence as soon as practicable.”
But the plans have received widespread backlash, with UEFA saying “this persistent self-interest of a few has been going on for too long”.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville also hit out, calling it an “absolute disgrace”, while Arsenal fans were up in arms about the announcement:
Absolutely shameful @Arsenal https://t.co/p0q9a7wLY2 pic.twitter.com/lLzSf5i0wJ
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) April 19, 2021
If you proceed with this arrogant elitist shameful Super League nonsense @Arsenal – then you can stick my 4 season tickets up your Arsenal.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 18, 2021
Just a few months ago we sacked 55 men and women that worked for our club, in the middle of a global pandemic, whilst simultaneously having meetings about the share of the £350,000,000,000 the club would be receiving.
— KeithTheGooner (@KeithTheGooner) April 18, 2021
Shameful. https://t.co/iv00p10i1u
This was only Thursday. This is the club I love and recognise. It’s beyond shameful that you have chosen this path. pic.twitter.com/Kuk29fd36w
— Yoni GT (@YoniGordonTelle) April 18, 2021
Related: Reminder: That a Jeremy Corbyn government would have put ‘fans before the financiers’