The European Super League was a proposed annual club football competition that would have featured some of Europe\“s most prominent football clubs. The founding members announced in April 2021 included twelve clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid from Spain; Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham from England; and Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan from Italy.
These clubs were selected based on their historical success, global fan base, and commercial appeal. The proposal aimed to create a closed competition without relegation, which drew widespread criticism from fans, football associations, and governments across Europe.
Within 48 hours of the announcement, all six English clubs withdrew due to massive public backlash. Shortly after, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and AC Milan also pulled out, leaving only Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus as the remaining founding members committed to the project.
The controversy surrounding the European Super League highlighted the tension between traditional football values and modern commercial interests in the sport. |
