Andrea Agnelli admits defeat in Super League battle

European Super League founder Andrea Agnelli has admitted defeat in his breakaway competition after the six English clubs withdrew and were followed by many other of the original 12 teams.

When asked if the league could still go ahead, Juventus chairman Agnelli told Reuters: "To be frank and honest no, evidently that is not the case."

Paddy Power had been offering 5-6 that none of the Premier League's six potential participants would play a European Super League game by 2025 and those who were prepared to take odds-on for a return four years later should be paid out.

Manchester United owner Joel Glazer said sorry to the Old Trafford faithful and added on the club's website: "You made very clear your opposition to the European Super League, and we have listened. We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right.

"We continue to believe that European football needs to become more sustainable throughout the pyramid for the long-term. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it.

"In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions –promotion, relegation, the pyramid – and for that we are sorry.

"This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.

Former England captain Alan Shearer believes "football has won".

Speaking to Coral, Shearer said: "The backtracking after two days was embarrassing. I am pretty certain it won’t be forgotten by the fans.

"We have been told throughout the pandemic about how important the football fans are to these clubs.

"They had to listen to their fans. I was just amazed it got this far. Football has won, fans have won, and rightfully so."