Everton have accused the six English founder members of the European Super League of disrespecting the Premier League and betraying football fans.
The Premier League is set to meet later today with the 14 clubs not aligned with the new breakaway tournament set to discuss what's next.
Everton say they're "saddened" and "disappointed" that Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea have chosen to pursue self-interest over the good of the game more generally.
UEFA will meet on Friday to discuss possible sanctions for the rebel clubs, which could include Man City and Chelsea being kicked out of this year's Champions League.
Statement From The Board.
— Everton (@Everton) April 20, 2021
Everton statement
"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.
At this time of national and international crisis - and a defining period for our game - clubs should be working together collaboratively with the ideals of our game and its supporters uppermost.
Instead, these clubs have been secretly conspiring to break away from a football pyramid that has served them so well.
And in that Pyramid Everton salutes EVERY club, be it Leicester City, Accrington Stanley, Gillingham, Lincoln City, Morecambe, Southend United, Notts County and the rest who have, with their very being, enriched the lives of their supporters throughout the game's history. And vice versa.
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On behalf of everyone associated with Everton, we respectfully ask that the proposals are immediately withdrawn and that the private meetings and subversive practises that have brought our beautiful game to possibly its lowest ever position in terms of trust end now.
Finally we would ask the owners, chairmen, and Board members of the six clubs to remember the privileged position they hold – not only as custodians of their clubs but also custodians of the game. The responsibility they carry should be taken seriously.
We urge them all to consider what they wish their legacy to be."
