Manchester City have withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL) and Chelsea are also preparing to do so.
Efforts to leave come just two days after both were announced as two of six English clubs to sign up to the controversial new competition.
The ESL has been widely criticised since being announced on Sunday.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson said on social media his side’s “collective position” is they do not want the Super League to take place.
“We don’t like it and we don’t want it to happen,” read a message that was also posted by many fellow Liverpool players.
“Our commitment to this football club and its supporters is absolute and unconditional.”
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who was involved in the Super League discussions, has announced he will step down from his role at the end of 2021.
Manchester City confirmed they have “formally enacted the procedures to withdraw” from the ESL later on Tuesday.
City and England winger Raheem Sterling subsequently posted: “Ok bye.”
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said he was “delighted” by City’s decision and welcomed them “back to the European football family”.
“They have shown great intelligence in listening to the many voices – most notably their fans – that have spelled out the vital benefits that the current system has for the whole of European football,” he added.”City are a real asset for the game and I am delighted to be working with them for a better future for the European game.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Manchester City and Chelsea have made “absolutely the right” decision and he hopes others “will follow their lead”.
Johnson’s stance against the ESL has been supported by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Around 1,000 fans gathered outside Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground before their game against Brighton on Tuesday to protest at their club’s involvement.
Chelsea and City were part of English football’s ‘big six’ clubs – alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham – to have agreed to join the new league.
In total, 12 European clubs announced their intentions to form the breakaway league, which they hoped to establish as a new midweek competition.
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It was condemned by football authorities and government ministers in the UK and across Europe by Uefa and leagues associations.
Chelsea were the first club to indicate they will not press ahead by preparing documentation to withdraw. City withdrew soon after.
Chelsea and City were not drivers of this plan, they were the last to sign and feared being left behind.
It is not clear how easy it is or how binding the contracts are.
The decision to try and have Chelsea leave was taken by owner Roman Abramovich and the club’s board after witnessing negative global reaction to the Super League.
There was a fear that it could do reputational damage to the club and undermine some of its campaigning and community work.
Questions were raised internally as to whether fans would respond to the club if it continued with a proposal which has gone down so badly.
The decision was made earlier on Tuesday before protests started outside Stamford Bridge.
Source: BBC
