LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Supporters of the six Premier League clubs leading the breakaway European Super League have slammed the controversial plan, branding it the “ultimate betrayal”.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham are all involved in the new competition, alongside Spanish trio Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Italian clubs Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan.

The founding sides will share 3.5 billion euros (US$4 billion, £3 billion) for infrastructure investment and to offset coronavirus pandemic costs.

They are expected to receive a further 10 billion euros in “solidarity payments” over the life of the initial commitment, convincing them to turn their backs on the Champions League in favour of the new invite-only competition.

Reaction to the incendiary scheme has been furious, with football’s governing bodies Fifa and UEFA, as well as all the leading domestic leagues condemning the “cynical” plan.

While their clubs would gain financially from the move, supporters of the Premier League teams involved were united in their contempt for such a nakedly greed-motivated project.

A poll conducted by YouGov found 76 per cent of fans of the six clubs involved oppose the proposals. Rejection of the plan rose to 88 per cent of fans of the other 14 Premier League clubs.

The Chelsea Supporters Trust (CST) said in a statement: “Our members and football supporters across the world have experienced the ultimate betrayal.

“The CST is appalled that Chelsea FC (CFC) are among the rumoured teams to have signed up for this alternative competition and hope that these reports are untrue. This proposal would risk CFC from being banned from other competitions and could jeopardise the future of our club.

“This is a decision of greed to line the pockets of those at the top, and it has been made with no consideration for the loyal supporters, our history, our future and the future of football in this country. This is unforgivable. Enough is enough.”

Cynical and greedy

Liverpool supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly (SOS) said it was “appalled” by the decision of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the club’s US-based owners, to take part in the plan.

“FSG have ignored fans in their relentless and greedy pursuit of money. Football is ours, not theirs. Our football club is ours, not theirs,” they said in a social media post.

SOS Chairman Joe Blott added: “It is purely financially, cynically, greedily driven without any thoughts for the football fan — and that’s the challenge that we have.”

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust called the club’s agreement to join “the death of Arsenal as a sporting institution”.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust labelled the plan an insult to the legacy of the players who died in the 1958 Munich air crash.

“A Super League based on a closed shop of self-selected wealthy clubs goes against everything football, and Manchester United, should stand for,” they said.

“To bring forward these proposals without any fan consultation, and in the midst of a global pandemic when people should be pulling together — not serving their own selfish interests — just adds insult to injury.

“When Sir Matt Busby led us into the European Cup in the 1950s, the modern Manchester United was founded in the tragedy and triumph that followed.

“To even contemplate walking away from that competition would be a betrayal of everything this club has ever stood for.”

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust said the European Super League was a “concept driven by avarice and self-interest at the expense of the intrinsic values of the game we hold so dear”.