Breakaway clubs 'will live with consequences'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said his organisation "strongly disapproves" of the European Super League plans, and that the breakaway 'Dirty Dozen' clubs will have to "live with the consequences of their choice. If some elect to go their own way then they must live with the consequences of their choice. They are responsible for their choice. Concretely, this means either you're in or you're out. You cannot be half in or half out."

Meanwhile on these shores, Everton have released a withering statement, accusing their 'Big Six' rivals of "tarnishing" the game and "disrespecting" the rest of the Premier League with "preposterous arrogance".

The statement comes just before the Premier League hold a meeting of the 14 clubs not included in the European Super League with the so-called ‘Big Six’ not invited to attend and excluded from the gathering.

Chelsea, Man City and Real Madrid could be axed from Champions League this week

Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were in danger of being thrown out of the Champions League and Europa League semi-finals on Monday night as football authorities, fans and the Government declared war on the European Super League, reports Telegraph Sport.

The four remaining English clubs in Europe were warned they could be expelled from their respective competitions as soon as Friday, while the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford were facing a ban from playing at this summer’s European Championship.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were also rendered footballing outcasts, along with Real Madrid, Barcelona and the rest of the “Dirty Dozen” clubs behind a plot that has sparked arguably the biggest outcry in the history of the game.

'Gentlemen, you made a huge mistake', says Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin

Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin has addressed the Uefa Congress, warning the breakaway 12 clubs, whom he has dubbed the 'Dirty Dozen', that they are making a "huge mistake".

In an impassioned address, the Slovenian attacked the clubs for becoming heartless businesses: "For some supporters have become consumers, competitions have become products. After the final whistle it is no longer league tables they consult but viewing figures and share prices. Champions League elimination is no longer a sporting failure, it is an industrial risk that some are unwilling to take."

Addressing the English clubs directly, Ceferin said: "Gentlemen, you made a huge mistake. What matters is that there is still time to change your mind. Everyone makes mistakes."

"Come to your senses, not out of love for football, because I imagine some of you don't have much of that, but out of respect for those who bleed themselves dry so that they can go to the stadium to support the team and want the dream to be kept alive. For those, you (must) change your mind."

Wolves proclaim themselves 2018/19 Premier League champions

Wolves have poked fun at the ESL on Twitter, claiming they are now the 2018/19 Premier League champions, after finishing seventh that season, behind the breakaway 'Big Six'. "It's probably too late for a parade," the club joked.

Everton will 'never' join ESL, says Farhad Moshiri

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has told TALKSport that Everton will not join the European Super League - "Never. Never."

“Football clubs are community assets. They belong to the fans. To the community. This is something that makes the game a money game. It isn't football anymore," he said.

"This is six clubs attacking the very heart of the Premier League. They should be punished. They should be deducted points. The Champions League is an amazing competition. That is the Super League."

European Sport Model 'under threat', says IOC President

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has warned that the European sports model is "under threat".

Speaking at the UEFA Congress, the German said: "In so many ways the crisis has revealed, and even deepened, existing fault lines and inequities."

"In this polarising environment, narrow self-interest and egotism have been gaining ground over solidarity, shared values and common rules."

"Unfortunately, we have to realise that this European sport model is under threat today. In fact, the very existence of the values, solidarity and volunteer-based model is under threat."

FIFA 'strongly disapproves' of ESL, says Gianni Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said his organisation "strongly disapproves" of plans for a European Super League and has warned the breakaway clubs they will have to "live with the consequences of their choice".

Twelve clubs - including the Premier League's so-called 'big six' - are part of proposals which would fundamentally alter the shape of European football.

Infantino told the UEFA Congress this morning: "We can only strongly disapprove the creation of the Super League, a Super League which is a closed shop, which is a breakaway from the current institutions, from the leagues, from the associations, from UEFA and from FIFA."

"There is a lot to throw away for the short-term financial gain of some. They need to reflect, and they need to assume responsibility."

He warned the breakaway clubs: "If some elect to go their own way then they must live with the consequences of their choice. They are responsible for their choice. Concretely, this means either you're in or you're out. You cannot be half in or half out."

'Super League could begin this September'

Speaking to Le Parisien, Anas Laghrari, the Secretary General of the Super League, has threatened that the tournament could start as early as September 2021, if an agreement can be reached with Uefa.

Laghrari said: "The Super League has prepared for this, threats of exclusion are not legal. The timeline could accelerate. If an agreement is reached with UEFA, the competition could start as early as September 2021."

When asked what the justification for the League was, he added: "The younger generations are less interested in football. They only tune in for the big matches."

Everton launch blistering attack on 'Big Six'

Everton have launched a scathing attack on the 'Big Six' breakaway Premier League clubs, calling them "Six clubs choosing to disrespect every other club."

Their written statement said: "Everton is saddened and disappointed to see proposals of a breakaway league pushed forward by six clubs. Six clubs acting entirely in their own interests."

"Six clubs tarnishing the reputation of our league and the game. Six clubs choosing to disrespect every other club with whom they sit around the Premier League table. Six clubs taking for granted and even betraying the majority of football supporters across our country and beyond."

"The self-proclaimed Super Six appear intent on disenfranchising supporters across the game - including their own - by putting the very structure that underpins the game we love under threat. The backlash is understandable and deserved – and has to be listened to. This preposterous arrogance is not wanted anywhere in football outside of the clubs that have drafted this plan."

"On behalf of everyone associated with Everton, we respectfully ask that the proposals are immediately withdrawn and that the private meetings and subversive practises that have brought our beautiful game to possibly its lowest ever position in terms of trust end now." The statement was released approximately one hour before the other 14 Premier League clubs were due to hold a meeting about how best to respond to these proposals.

Meanwhile on the continent...

La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy brandished pictures of the star players from each of the 12 breakaway clubs and demanded someone 'STOP THEM!'

L'Equipe, France's leading sports daily, heaped praise on both PSG and Bayern Munich for their refusal to sign up, stating 'We are the champions'

Marca, one of Spain's leading sports newspapers who are known for being big advocates of Real Madrid, spoke of a 'Clamour against the Super League'. The Super League has been pioneered by Real Madrid President Florentio Perez.