Boris Johnson praises Chelsea and Man City’s ‘absolutely right decision’ to quit European Super League

BORIS Johnson has praised Chelsea and Manchester City for quitting the European Super League.

The Prime Minister said the pair had made “absolutely right decision” and called on the four remaining English clubs to follow their example - which they did soon after.

The European Super League now lies in tatters this evening after first Chelsea and then Manchester City decided to quit.

The PM had signalled his willingness even to bring in a new legislation to block the move and has now Tweeted his support for the clubs who have quit.

"The decision by Chelsea and Manchester City is – if confirmed – absolutely the right one and I commend them for it," he wrote.

“I hope the other clubs involved in the European Super League will follow their lead."

Mr Johnson had earlier branded the ESL a cartel saying its "not right"; to rob British fans of their footie - saying "be in no doubt that we don't support it".

Amid rising anger from supporters and players from all teams, the 12 ESL clubs last night called an emergency meeting to discuss ending it

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was left “shaken” by the fury directed at the Premier League’s “Big Six” rebels.

Then in a dramatic victory for football, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs decided they no longer want to be involved in the rebel league after wide spread fan protests.

It is also believed that Atletico Madrid have pulled out of the ESL while Barcelona have said they will put the proposal to their fans before deciding.

Amid the fall out from the disastrous Super League proposal Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has quit, although it is understood he made his decision on Monday.   

MORE ON SUPER LEAGUE OUTRAGE

• European Super League in TATTERS as ALL six Prem clubs quit
• Three days of chaos - the rise and fall or European Super League
• Ed Woodward quits Man Utd amid furore
• PICTURED: How it began with secret meeting at Dorchester
• PICTURED: Fans celebrate dramatic U-turns - but clash with Chelsea legend Petr Cech
• PICTURED: Neville and Carragher toast Super league's demise
• THE SUN SAYS: Super League has united just about everyone in outrage
• LIVE BLOG: The latest European Super League news and updates

Earlier, Chelsea fans celebrated after their team pulled out of the controversial proposed Super League.

The move followed an angry backlash with fans gathering at the club's Stamford Bridge stadium to demand owner Roman Abramovich back away from the plans.

Protestors blocked the road and attempted to stop Chelsea's team bus from pulling into the stadium, delaying kick-off until 8.15pm.

Then in another blow to the £4.6billion scheme, Man City chiefs decided they could no longer be party to the plans that have rocked football to its very foundations.

City were the last of the initial six Prem clubs, and the 12th in all, to sign up to the plan hatched by Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United and funded by US investment giant JP Morgan.

Like Chelsea, who are in the process of preparing their withdrawal documents, the Etihad outfit were understood to feel they had no option other than to join the breakaway.

That was despite both clubs’ hierarchies harbouring doubts over the project.

But the fear of missing out on a huge tranche of the initial £3bn joining pot and minimum £130m per year on offer saw both clubs take a bite out of the carrot.

City’s concerns have grown over the past 24 hours, with the backlash intensifying as fans groups castigated the rebel clubs.

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They were also slammed by their Prem rivals, with the League, FA and Government lining up to vow the clubs would simply not be allowed to walk away and join the elite cartel clubs.

And an extra blow to the crumbling project came from Barcelona, who announced they would not join the Super League unless there was a vote of members to approve the move.

President Joan Laporta said: "Barcelona will NOT join the Super League until our socios (fan members) vote for it.

“It's their club, so it's their decision.”

The European Super League was announced on Sunday night and met with a furious backlash from fans, players and authorities.

The plans have also been criticised by the likes of Boris Johnson and Prince William.

The Sun reported earlier today how three Prem teams that signed up were considering pulling out.

A massive fan backlash is believed to be one of the major factors behind half of the six Premier League teams involved having second thoughts.

In total, 12 European teams have announced the setting up of a new franchise league in which they will be free of relegation fears.

Bild claimed there could be as many as three Premier League clubs getting cold feet and that if they break ranks it will bring the whole idea crashing down before it even gets going.

The remaining 14 top-flight clubs met today to discuss how to fight back against the proposals and how they will challenge the six rebels.

A Premier League statement said: "The Premier League, alongside The FA, met with clubs today to discuss the immediate implications of the Super League proposal.

"The 14 clubs at the meeting unanimously and vigorously rejected the plans for the competition.

"The Premier League is considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing, as well as holding those Shareholders involved to account under its rules.

"The League will continue to work with key stakeholders including fan groups, Government, Uefa, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA to protect the best interests of the game and call on those clubs involved in the proposed competition to cease their involvement immediately.

"The Premier League would like to thank fans and all stakeholders for the support they have shown this week on this significant issue. The reaction proves just how much our open pyramid and football community means to people."

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