Super League news LIVE: Barcelona and Real Madrid only clubs left standing after ‘big six’ lead exodus

Juventus have reluctantly conceded that they are out of the European Super League due to the mass withdrawal of clubs this week.

After the ‘Big Six’ Premier League teams departed on Tuesday night, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid followed, with a vague statement from AC Milan and now the Old Lady effectively joining the mass exodus to leave just Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But despite admitting the project had failed in the original form it was conceived, the Italian champions vowed to continue “pursuing the creation of long-term value for the Company and the entire football industry”.

A statement read: “With reference to the press release published by Juventus Football Club S.p.A. on 19 April 2021, relating to the proposed creation of the Super League, and the ensuing public debate, the issuer clarifies to be aware of the request and intentions otherwise expressed by certain clubs to withdraw from this project, although the necessary procedures envisaged by the agreement among the clubs have not been completed.

The Football Supporters Federation (FSA) has reiterated the need to fight back against owners to wrestle back control for fans, a statement reads: “The past 72 hours of white hot action and anger has killed domestic involvement in the Super League but that doesn’t mean fans can take their foot off the accelerator – a return to the status quo is unacceptable.”

A statement from the Italian champions read: “With reference to the press release issued by Juventus Football Club SpA on 19 April 2021, relating to the project to create the Super League, and the subsequent public debate, the Issuer specifies that it is aware of the request and intentions otherwise expressed by some clubs to withdraw from this project, although the necessary procedures under the agreement between the clubs have not been completed.

“In this context, Juventus, while remaining convinced of the validity of the sporting, commercial and legal assumptions of the project, believes that it currently has limited possibilities of being completed in the form in which it was initially conceived.

“Juventus remains committed to building long-term value for the club and for the entire football movement.”

A statement read: “We accepted the invitation to participate in the Super League project with the genuine intention to deliver the best possible European competition for football fans around the world and in the best interest of the club and our own fans. Change is not always easy, but evolution is necessary for progress, and the structures of European football have evolved and changed over the decades.

“However, the voices and the concerns of fans around the world have clearly been expressed about the Super League, and AC Milan must be sensitive to the voice of those who love this wonderful sport.

“We will continue to work hard to deliver a sustainable model for football.”

Nicky Butt reacts to the European Super League: “I don’t think apologies are too great anyway, what happened should not have happened. What happened is the worst case of bullying from powerful people, whether they apologise or not is irrelevant to me.

“It’ll take a hell of a long time [for the clubs to regain the fans’ trust]. It’ll be very, very difficult. That’s something they have to work out.”

“I spoke with president yesterday, he explained the club’s position. But a lot changed since yesterday. Best not to say much now, no one knows what will happen. What I want most is what’s best for this club.”

Plans for the controversial European Super League lay in tatters on Wednesday, after the six English teams involved in the breakaway league pulled out following a universal backlash.

Fans, pundits, players and managers would have directly been affected by the league, which aimed to replace the Champions League with a set competition of 20 teams, 15 of which would not be relegated regardless of results.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were all set to be involved in the league but, slowly on Tuesday, all began to back away and confirm they would no longer be taking part. Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid dropped out on Wednesday morning leaving the future of The Super League in serious doubt.

As a result, the six English teams have issued statements with some apologising for attaching their names to the scheme. Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman of Man Utd, has also resigned and will leave the role at the end of the year.

As it stands, just, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus remain but there are rumours that even some of those teams have their own concerns and trepidations about the project. In fact, Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli, one of the masterminds behind the project, has suggested it can no longer go ahead.

Premier League players celebrated the demise of the European Super League after six English clubs withdraw from the competition less than 48 hours after its announcement, bringing the entire project to its knees.

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has now admitted the project is effectively dead without Premier League input, while Atletico and Inter have become the latest clubs to flee the sinking ship.

Raheem Sterling was one of the highest profile players to speak out, with a simple “OK, bye” to the Super League, a competition which his club Manchester City signed up to, but about which his manager Pep Guardiola made clear on Tuesday the squad were left totally in the dark.

Sports secretary Oliver Dowden has backed English clubs embracing the “German model” for football to hand fans a minimum 51% stake in their clubs.

As a result of the fierce backlash to the European Super League plans, Dowden is a fan of English clubs adopting the model seen in Germany.

“They talked about the German model - German clubs didn’t take part in this, that’s because fans had the greater stake in it,” he said.

“We’ve seen over time fans stake in clubs erode, I think its important we look at that to give fans greater influence and control.”