Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has stepped down from his role with UEFA.
And the Red Devils have resigned from the ECA following the announcement that they have become founder members of a new breakaway European Super League.
United are one of six English clubs to sign up to The Super League – along with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham.
United co-chairman Joel Glazer has been announced as vice-chairman of the Super League.
In a statement he said: “By bringing together the world’s greatest clubs and players to play each other throughout the season, the Super League will open a new chapter for European football, ensuring world-class competition and facilities, and increased financial support for the wider football pyramid.”
Woodward was involved at the heart of discussions, as part of the ECA, over the revamping of the Champions League from 2024, with the expansion of the tournament to 36 teams.
But while those discussions were ongoing, Woodward and his counterparts at Europe’s elite clubs were plotting the breakaway super league that was announced late last night.
Woodward had always played down the prospect of a breakaway league involving Europe’s top clubs, telling a United fans’ forum call in November “What I can assure you of is that we will keep match-going fans firmly in the centre of our thoughts”.
But those remarks do not ring true in light of United’s involvement in the breakaway league involving 12 of Europe’s elite clubs, which will have a detrimental impact on match-going fans.
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