Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have become the latest European sides to pull the plug on their commitments to the much-maligned Super League.
The Premier League’s Big Six – Manchester City, United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham – all withdrew from the European Super League late on Tuesday night amid widespread revolt from fans after news emerged just 48 hours earlier that they were six of the 12 founding members.
And now both Inter and Atletico have confirmed they have joined the Premier League’s Big Six in performing a U-turn, leaving just AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid on their own in the doomed Super League.
Inter Milan have become the latest club to withdraw from the European Super League
Inter Milan, led by president Steven Zhang (pictured), were one of the 12 founding members
Inter said in their statement on Wednesday morning that they will continue to work with the relevant authorities in the future in order to ‘continue to excite fans of all ages over the world’.
‘FC Internazionale Milano confirms that the club is no longer part of the Super League project,’ the statement read. ‘We are always committed to giving the fans the best football experience; innovation and inclusion have been part of our DNA since our foundation. Our commitment with all stakeholders to improve the football industry will never change.
‘Inter believe that football, like any sector of activity, should have an interest in constantly improving its competitions, in order to continue to excite fans of all ages all over the world, within a framework of financial sustainability.
‘With this vision we will continue to work together with institutions and all stakeholders for the future of the sport we all love.’
Meanwhile, LaLiga outfit Atletico admitted they withdrew from the Super League in order to ensure ‘harmony’ remains between the club and its loyal fans.
With the plans in disarray, Atletico Madrid also pulled the plug on their commitments
The club’s statement read: ‘The Atletico de Madrid Board of Directors, meeting this Wednesday morning, has decided to formally communicate to the Superliga and the rest of the founding clubs its decision not to finally formalize its adherence to the project.
‘Atletico de Madrid made the decision last Monday to join this project in response to circumstances that no longer exist today.
‘For the club, harmony is essential between all the groups that make up the rojiblanca family, especially our fans. The first team squad and their coach have shown their satisfaction with the club’s decision, understanding that sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria.
After it was officially announced that the 12 clubs had become founding members of the Super League, the plans which created a civil war within football, were quickly protested by fans across Europe.
The breakaway competition threatened to drastically change the football landscape across the continent.
Juventus and AC Milan are among the teams still left in the doomed Super League
Spanish arch rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid also remain in the much-maligned venture
But the widespread backlash led to the majority of teams backtracking on their initial decision, with the domino effect starting late on Tuesday night in England.
England’s participating clubs each released statements announcing their intention to step away from the competition.
ANSA and Corriere dello Sport earlier reported that the Super League was no longer of interest to Serie A leaders Inter – who had joined up alongside fellow Serie A big guns AC Milan and Juventus.
Inter president Zhang initially joined up to the Super League in the bid to solve the economic problems plaguing the club.
Inter were hit hard the during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the owners – Suning – were recently forced to halt operations at its Chinese football clubs due to financial jeopardy.
Chelsea and Man City led the way as all six English clubs announced they intended to leave
The 12 initial founding members were due to receive £300million each when the European Super League kicked off, with the plans bankrolled by the Wall Street giant JP Morgan.
But after being threatened of being ousted from Serie A by FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, who claimed the Super League damages ‘European football, Inter have performed a dramatic U-turn as they look to seal the Italian top-flight title.
Inter are on the brink of their first Serie A crown since the 2009-10 season, sitting nine points clear of arch rivals AC Milan with just seven matches to play.
Solving the club’s financial woes will remain a priority at the end of the season but for the time being Antonio Conte’s side can now focus on reigning supreme in Italy.
So too did Man United, who also announced that chief executive Ed Woodward would resign
