Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly preparing to split from the breakaway competition, European Super League.
In Spain, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also distancing themselves from the project that was designed to give its founding members a permanent seat at the continent’s top table, Sky Sports reports.
Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich is understood to have driven the decision, having listened to fan protests and opted to back out.
Read Also: UEFA To Ban Clubs Who Take Part In Breakaway European Super League
The Premier League duo are two of ‘Big Six‘ English clubs that signed up to the project, announced on Sunday, alongside Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter, Juventus and Spanish club Real Madrid.
However, amid growing fan unrest at the proposal, reports emerged that the west London club are preparing to step away from the plot concocted by 12 European clubs. City have since confirmed that they plan to walk away.
Read Also: American Investment Bank, JP Morgan To Finance European Super League.
It comes after a major backlash, which has seen players, pundits and politicians describe it as a “cartel” solely motivated by greed.
Fans gathered outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, with police forced to close roads and make a number of arrests.
Supporters clutched placards that read “RIP football” and “No to Super League” ahead of tonight’s game against Brighton.
Manchester City also officially took the first steps towards withdrawing from the league, despite previously not commenting on the news “for legal reasons“.
A statement on the club’s website reads;
Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
In response, UEFA president, Alexander Ceferin said he is “delighted to welcome Manchester City back to the European football family“.
It followed the revelation that Manchester United chief executive, Ed Woodward had resigned from his role. United were one of the main drivers behind the Super League concept.
Read Also: Ed Woodward To Step Down As Manchester United Executive Vice-Chairman
It’s understood that Woodward was planning to go at the end of the year – and will stay in his role until then – but the announcement has been brought forward.
With the exiting clubs, it will leave just five English clubs – Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham – in the breakaway competition.
