Premier League set to hold urgent meeting with Newcastle United and rivals

Plans for an ESL – which includes Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham – have dominated the headlines and sparked outrage across Europe.

The Premier League alongside the likes of UEFA and Prime Minster Boris Johnson, have condemned the move, while the Magpies are believed to be strongly opposed to it.

A virtual meeting, chaired by chief executive Richard Masters, is due to take place today with United and 13 other top-flight clubs set to share their thoughts on how to respond to the controversial proposal.

Indeed, the English clubs who have ‘founded’ the ESL have not been invited to attend the meeting.

A statement by the EPL on Monday read: "The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.

“Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best. We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream.

“The Premier League is proud to run a competitive and compelling football competition that has made it the most widely watched league in the world. Our success has enabled us to make an unrivalled financial contribution to the domestic football pyramid.

“A European Super League will undermine the appeal of the whole game, and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs, and all those in football who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.

“We will work with fans, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity and future prospects of English football in the best interests of the game.”

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has called for those ‘big six’ teams to be banned from competing in the Premier League next season.

Also involved are Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, and AC Milan.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor