City opt out of super league

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

🚨 Five English clubs 'sign up to European Super League' via @OneFootball. Read it here:

https://1.ftb.al/FqQfcCzzyfb

[Stephen Paul]

Hope this is a load of shite

[KunDB]

I read they were last to sign up, signing up yesterday.

[KunDB]

From New York Times


After months of secret talks, the breakaway teams â€" which include Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain; Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in England; and Juventus and A.C. Milan in Italy â€" could make an announcement as early as Sunday, according to multiple people familiar with the plans.

The so-called super league they have agreed upon â€" an alliance of top clubs closer in concept to closed leagues like the N.F.L. and the N.B.A. than soccer’s current model â€" would bring about the most significant restructuring of elite European soccer since the 1950s, and could herald the largest transfer of wealth to a small set of teams in modern sports history.

[KunDB]

From M.E.N.


Reports in the national media claim that Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have agreed to join the project, which will be governed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

[gavin]

There seems some contradiction as to whether City have agreed or not. It is not nice to be in bed with the rags and scousers in a new greed league if we have agreed. However, when the opposition to it includes UEFA, The Premier League and that twot Boris Johnson then maybe it ain't so bad after all. I didn't like what was leaked about UEFA's plans and the current competition is crap as it is.

I think we can sum this up as the following - we join a bunch of greedy wankers, who tried to shaft us, in a breakaway or we stick with a bunch of greedy wankers, who tried to shaft us. What a choice.

I wouldn't want to deal with any of the cunts personally but we have to play somebody.

[lee]

UEFA are a bunch of dirty cunts who have mistreated us over the years.Bollocks to them

[Stephen Paul]

I am almost done with football

The rich getting richer

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

The super league is official and City are in it.

It's happening! Plans confirmed for NEW European Super League via @OneFootball. Read it here:

https://1.ftb.al/7EOnPXmJzfb

[lee]

Sterling clearly knew about this for months   

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Rags, Inter, Juve and Milan have all left the ECA.

Ed Woodward has left his roles with UEFA.

It's interesting and entertaining if nothing else!

[Stephen Paul]

Shame on the lot of them

[Stephen Paul]

No Bayern or PSG ?

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Bayern and Dortmund have said they intend to stand by the ECA. PSG aren't involved either.

[Gareth]

Brilliant here, it’s not possible to have a conversation without being plunged into the depths of outrage that the Old Firm haven’t been invited! If it’d been me, I would’ve just invited one of them, doesn’t matter which, then sat back and watched Glasgow go up in flames...

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Christ I hadn't even thought about Jocks!

Gareth, you evil bastard, I love it!

[Stephen Paul]

Brilliant here, it’s not possible to have a conversation without being plunged into the depths of outrage that the Old Firm haven’t been invited! If it’d been me, I would’ve just invited one of them, doesn’t matter which, then sat back and watched Glasgow go up in flames...

Good idea

[KunDB]

Disgraceful this has been done behind closed doors down alleyways with no fan, football authority input.

That said I’m guessing City faced the dilemma of jump on the bus or be left behind. Stay at the bus stop you are not a founding member with all the benefits that flow from that.

The devil or the deep blue sea.

[Paddy]

City OUT.....

[Neil Mcnab]

Money, money, money. If it happens, as difficult as it might be, the club would be dead to me.

[Stephen Paul]

I stopped buying shirts a few years back because it was simply just a rip off

If City buy into this , I will not spend another penny at the Etihad

[reddishblue]

This was a good prediction by the beeb

https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1384176690096590871

[gavin]

I'm against the Super League but also against UEFA's proposals which look a right mess. Football is bereft of quality leadership, I'm afraid. But it won't stop me supporting MCFC or even put me off at all as long as we remain in domestic competition. I've often felt the Champions League  was a bit of a waste of time, particularly before Christmas. I wouldn't mourn the loss of European football nights at all.

The thing that knocks me a bit sick is all these pundits moaning about football now being about greed. Their clubs have been trying to create a closed shop for years surreptitiously and they supported them against City as if their clubs were the white knights protecting football from evil City. Now at least the clubs are being up front about it. It seems to me that City were put in a difficult position. They weren't drivers of the Super League but also don't want to be left behind with the remnants of the organisation that tried to ban them not long ago. Of course, it is ironic that to breakaway from UEFA, City have joined the very clubs that had corrupted UEFA in the first place.

There's a lot of water to go under the bridge yet.

[reddishblue]

The day it became the Champions League as apposed to the European Cup was the beginning of the end of football. It was all about TV exposure with no regards to fans at all. Then came meaningless international friendlies at the worst possible times of the season. Sick of it now.

[lee]

Good post Gav

Im the same mate.City are in my blood.It's a drug and there is no rehab.

City were caught between a rock and a hard place.It does seem ironic though we have joined forces with the rags who under David Gill did everything in his power to shit on us.

As the old saying goes and not used it for a while "CTID"

[reddishblue]

EUFA's proposals to expand the champions league to 36 teams is also fucking madness, it will also help destroy domestic leagues. Something has to give here.

[KunDB]

I’m a diehard fan I don’t give a toss about the shenanigans but I do want proper open competition.

If City go in I’ll still support them as I did in division three but they better be aware swimming with sharks is outright dangerous.

[Gareth]

This isn’t a deal-breaker for me. Don’t particularly like it, but there’s already more than a few things I’m less than keen on in the modern game, as well as some things that are ok. But when it comes down to it, no way on earth am I going to the barricades for the status quo alongside UEFA and the fkn Tories, ffs...

[KunDB]

The worry I would have if I was a City Executive is that in future the 15 founding members only need 8 to have a majority to push through rule changes that benefit them and harm City. The dirty half dozen plus two.

[lee]

Looks like Chelsea are the first to back down.

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Fair play to the Chelsea fans.

🎥 Petr ÄŒech pleads with protesters after Chelsea fans block bus via @OneFootball. Read it here:

https://1.ftb.al/bWMYmTnfCfb

[Stephen Paul]

 Its falling apart

[lee]

City are the next club to withdraw

[Hesperus]

Officially, it looks like we are the first! 

[KunDB]

Officially, it looks like we are the first! 

How do you conclude that?

I do hope City pull the plug soon too.

[Stephen Paul]

should be dead in the water now if City and Chelsea pull the plug

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Hopefully this will lead to big reforms in UEFA. Not that I'll hold my breath!!

[KunDB]

Sun saying City and Chelsea are looking out.

[Neil Mcnab]

Looking like the club has seen sense and is very much alive.

[Hesperus]

Hey ho, back to the non corrupt, non closed shop competition that is the Champions League.

Whoop dee f*cking do!

[Stephen Paul]

Hey ho, back to the non corrupt, non closed shop competition that is the Champions League.

Whoop dee f*cking do!

[Stephen Paul]

super power Spurs will probably pull out last

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Ed Woodward has stepped down as rags chief exec.

Balls, he was doing such a good job!!

[KunDB]

Hey ho, back to the non corrupt, non closed shop competition that is the Champions League.

Whoop dee f*cking do!

So sadly true lol

[gavin]

Next to sort out the laughable UEFA proposals.

[gavin]

Two days is a short time to be in a division even for us

[KunDB]

Good old Beeb lol

[url]https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56823501/url]

European Super League: Manchester City withdraw and Chelsea prepare to follow

[gavin]

City website crumbles under the pressure again.

[gavin]

Don't read the following quote unless you want to vomit.....

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has welcomed the withdrawal of Manchester City from the breakaway closed league project.

“I am delighted to welcome City back to the European football family," said Ceferin.

“They have shown great intelligence in listening to the many voices - most notably their fans - that have spelled out the vital benefits that the current system has for the whole of European football; from the world beating Champions League final right down to a young player’s first coaching session at a grassroots club.

“As I said at the Uefa Congress, it takes courage to admit a mistake but I have never doubted that they had the ability and common sense to make that decision.

“City are a real asset for the game and I am delighted to be working with them for a better future for the European game.”

[KunDB]

I have to say City could and should have issued a better statement, perhaps an apology, regrets and some type of explanation for jumping onboard with the motley mutinous (guys and clubs) that have spent ten years trying to shaft us.

[Paddy]

Thank heavens, sanity has returned to football

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Don't read the following quote unless you want to vomit.....

Wankers.

[Hesperus]

Clearly the club have entered into a major PR disaster with the decision to join the ESL.

Wouldn’t be surprised if someone senior pays the price with their job.

[KunDB]

John Henry one of the main architects of this and Project Big Picture apologising on TV to fans. A PR move. City and Ferran, nowhere to be seen. Woeful.

[Stephen Paul]

Barcelona and Madrid are behind this as they are on their knees financially according to some pundits

[Stephen Paul]

John Barnes just called City and Pep hypocrites

[bluebrendan]

Don't read the following quote unless you want to vomit.....

Read between the lines, Gav, remember Ceferin visitng the Etihad a couple of times for talks?

[lee]

John Barnes just called City and Pep hypocrites

Some people really need to keep their mouths shut

[Stephen Paul]

Inter and Athletico out

[Stephen Paul]

Some people really need to keep their mouths shut

First degree cnut just said it on BBC and also City should be punished for overspending 😡

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Just Juve, Real and Barca left

[KunDB]

Right or not John Barnes has a right of speech and views.

City are deafening us fans yet again with the sound of silence. When you jump into bed with the bandits you are a bandit. Why did City do that and why no explanation and no apology to club fans, staff and players.

[Stephen Paul]

Right or not John Barnes has a right of speech and views.

City are deafening us fans yet again with the sound of silence. When you jump into bed with the bandits you are a bandit. Why did City do that and why no explanation and no apology to club fans, staff and players.

Certainly has but why single City out from the rest

[Hesperus]

Ferran says sorry:

Dear Supporter,

I am writing to you regarding the events of the past few days. 

I am sorry it has taken a little time, but the circumstances have been somewhat exceptional and it was important to me to contact you directly.   

As you know, Manchester City has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.

As always, when we make choices and decisions, we do so with the best interests of the Club in mind and we believed that being part of such an initiative could give us a voice that might be imperative to our future ability to succeed and grow.

However, in making that choice we failed to remind ourselves of the unbreakable link between the passion of our fans and the right to have the opportunity to earn success. It is a truth that is fundamental to the DNA of Manchester City and the Board deeply regrets taking a decision that lost sight of the historic values of the Club. We made a mistake and we sincerely apologise to our fans for the disappointment, frustration and anguish caused by the last 72 hours. 

I want to personally assure you that the Owners, Chairman, Board and staff are completely committed to ensuring that the club continues to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing well-being of both the English and European football pyramids and their associated competitions. We will embrace the opportunity to earn back the full trust of our stakeholders and the football family in general.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and I extend my thanks to you for your continued support. 

I look forward to welcoming you back to the Etihad Stadium as soon as circumstances allow.

Yours sincerely
 
Ferran Soriano, CEO

[silvablue]

According to media reports.

Manchester City have sent an unreserved apology directly to each registered supporter for their role in the infamous European Super League.

That’s great, now we can all move on in full support of the club again.

[KunDB]

Dear Cityzen,

I am writing to you regarding the events of the past few days. I am sorry it has taken a little time, but the circumstances have been somewhat exceptional and it was important to me to contact you directly.

As you know, Manchester City has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League. As always, when we make choices and decisions, we do so with the best interests of the Club in mind and we believed that being part of such an initiative could give us a voice that might be imperative to our future ability to succeed and grow.

However, in making that choice we failed to remind ourselves of the unbreakable link between the passion of our fans and the right to have the opportunity to earn success. It is a truth that is fundamental to the DNA of Manchester City and the Board deeply regrets taking a decision that lost sight of the historic values of the Club. We made a mistake and we sincerely apologise to our fans for the disappointment, frustration and anguish caused by the last 72 hours.

I want to personally assure you that the Owners, Chairman, Board and staff are completely committed to ensuring that the club continues to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing well-being of both the English and European football pyramids and their associated competitions. We will embrace the opportunity to earn back the full trust of our stakeholders and the football family in general.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and I extend my thanks to you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

Ferran Soriano, CEO

[silvablue]

John Barnes talks a lot of sense and tells fans the truth while others gaslight fans.

He also said the following:

“Asked if fan power was the reason behind the climbdown from Mr Henry and company, Barnes told talkRADIO : “Well first of all there’s been a lot of noise in the last two days in the revolution to change the face of football.

“Let’s make no mistake what this was about. This was about two elite groups that wanted to have the power to exploit football.

“It was never about the fans. It was about UEFA trying to hold on to power, the Premier League trying to hold on to their power and another group, this new ESL ( European Super League ) trying to come into power.”

The winner is UEFA the losers the Dirty Dizen clubs. Either way the fans get exploited and the clubs get more power, money and elite protection from failure at the expense of other clubs.

City’s owners are far from saints or fan focussed, as they have just shown.

[Gareth]

UEFA now looking for ways to punish the clubs who signed up for the Super League (then had second thoughts). I know! They could ban us from the Champions League, then we could organise a competition between all the banned teams instead... oh...