Plans for a Super League announced by 12 of European football's most powerful clubs plunged the game into an unprecedented crisis on Monday as the UK government threatened to invoke competition law to block a breakaway.

Six Premier League teams -- Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur -- joined forces with Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid as well as Italian trio Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan to launch the competition.

They plan to leave the UEFA-sanctioned Champions League and start their new tournament "as soon as possible", with plans for three more founding members to join and five other clubs to be invited annually.

The competition threatens to completely upturn the world's biggest sport and leaves the prestigious Champions League -- itself the fruit of the last major shake-up in European football in 1992 -- facing an uncertain future.

Britain's culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the English clubs could find themselves subject to a formal review under British anti-trust law, which prevents the formation of monopolies or corporate cartels.&nbsp;

"We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening," the minister said,&nbsp;vowing a "very robust response".

The breakaway announcement came just hours before UEFA announced a new format for the Champions League, which had been conceived to placate the continent's biggest clubs.

<h2>- Champions League reform -</h2>

European football's governing body is pressing ahead with the new format from 2024 onwards, which will see the number of clubs involved increase from 32 to 36 with each team guaranteed 10 games.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin lashed out at the breakaway plan, calling it a "disgraceful self-serving proposal from a select few clubs purely fuelled by greed".

The Slovenian added that European member associations were "all united against this nonsensical project" and said players involved would not be allowed to play for national teams, effectively banning them from taking part in European Championships and World Cups.

However, organisers of the Super League said they would file a motion "before the relevant courts" to stop players being banned and "ensure the seamless establishment and operation" of the competition, according to a letter seen by AFP, addressed to Ceferin and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

The breakaway league is being backed by US investment bank JPMorgan, which confirmed to AFP that it was "financing the deal".

The founding clubs will share 3.5 billion euros ($4 billion, £3 billion) for infrastructure investment and to offset pandemic costs, and are expected to receive a further 10 billion euros in "solidarity payments" over the life of the initial commitment -- much more than in the current Champions League.

The 15 eventual founders will be guaranteed to play each year in a competition intended to take place in midweek, allowing clubs in theory to continue participating in domestic leagues.

"One thing I understand and that people think is not right is the competitiveness," said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who confirmed he was not consulted on the proposals.

<h2>- Bayern not in favour -</h2>

The absence of French and German teams from the founding members is notable, despite Bayern Munich and Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain reaching last season's Champions League final.

Bayern have distanced themselves from the project, with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saying: "We are convinced that the current structure in football guarantees a reliable foundation."

However, a source close to the 12 founding clubs told AFP "at least two French clubs" are set to be involved every year.

The reaction from fans and pundits across Europe has been furious.

"It's the death of football... Football is based on the concept of competitive balance, sporting competition and qualifying on merit," Tim Payton, head of the Arsenal Supporters Trust, told AFP.

Supporters from both Leeds and Liverpool protested outside Elland Road ahead of Monday's Premier League match.

Players have also&nbsp;voiced their disapproval.

"I can only say my personal opinion, I don't like it and hopefully it doesn't happen," said James Milner, who captained Liverpool on Monday.

<h2>- FIFA's 'disapproval' -</h2>

Under the plan, two groups of 10 will play each other home and away, with the top three qualifying for the quarter-finals. The fourth and fifth-placed teams would play off for the two remaining spots.

Then the competition would adopt the same two-leg knockout format used in the Champions League before a single-leg final in May.

World governing body FIFA expressed its "disapproval" and called on all parties "to engage in calm, constructive and balanced dialogue".

The Premier League, the richest in Europe, issued a furious statement to say "the concept of a European Super League would destroy" the dream that any team could "climb to the top and play against the best".

The powerful European Club Association said it "strongly opposes" the plans after its own chairman, Juventus supremo Andrea Agnelli, stepped down.

Having been heavily involved in negotiations with UEFA over a new Champions League format, Agnelli came in for stinging criticism from Ceferin.

"I've never seen a person that would lie so many times, so persistently as he did. It's unbelievable," Ceferin said.

But Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez, who was announced as the first Super League president, said the breakaway reflected the big clubs' wishes.

"Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires," he said.

Plans for a Super League announced by 12 of European football's most powerful clubs plunged the game into an unprecedented crisis on Monday as the UK government threatened to invoke competition law to block a breakaway.

Plans for a Super League announced by 12 of European football's most powerful clubs plunged the game into an unprecedented crisis on Monday as the UK government threatened to invoke competition law to block a breakaway. Six Premier League teams -- Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur -- joined forces with Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid as well as Italian trio Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan to launch the competition. They plan to leave the UEFA-sanctioned Champions League and start their new tournament "as soon as possible", with plans for three more founding members to join and five other clubs to be invited annually. The competition threatens to completely upturn the world's biggest sport and leaves the prestigious Champions League -- itself the fruit of the last major shake-up in European football in 1992 -- facing an uncertain future. Britain's culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the English clubs could find themselves subject to a formal review under British anti-trust law, which prevents the formation of monopolies or corporate cartels. "We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening," the minister said, vowing a "very robust response". The breakaway announcement came just hours before UEFA announced a new format for the Champions League, which had been conceived to placate the continent's biggest clubs. - Champions League reform - European football's governing body is pressing ahead with the new format from 2024 onwards, which will see the number of clubs involved increase from 32 to 36 with each team guaranteed 10 games. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin lashed out at the breakaway plan, calling it a "disgraceful self-serving proposal from a select few clubs purely fuelled by greed". The Slovenian added that European member associations were "all united against this nonsensical project" and said players involved would not be allowed to play for national teams, effectively banning them from taking part in European Championships and World Cups. However, organisers of the Super League said they would file a motion "before the relevant courts" to stop players being banned and "ensure the seamless establishment and operation" of the competition, according to a letter seen by AFP, addressed to Ceferin and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. The breakaway league is being backed by US investment bank JPMorgan, which confirmed to AFP that it was "financing the deal". The founding clubs will share 3.5 billion euros ($4 billion, £3 billion) for infrastructure investment and to offset pandemic costs, and are expected to receive a further 10 billion euros in "solidarity payments" over the life of the initial commitment -- much more than in the current Champions League. The 15 eventual founders will be guaranteed to play each year in a competition intended to take place in midweek, allowing clubs in theory to continue participating in domestic leagues. "One thing I understand and that people think is not right is the competitiveness," said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who confirmed he was not consulted on the proposals. - Bayern not in favour - The absence of French and German teams from the founding members is notable, despite Bayern Munich and Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain reaching last season's Champions League final. Bayern have distanced themselves from the project, with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saying: "We are convinced that the current structure in football guarantees a reliable foundation." However, a source close to the 12 founding clubs told AFP "at least two French clubs" are set to be involved every year. The reaction from fans and pundits across Europe has been furious. "It's the death of football... Football is based on the concept of competitive balance, sporting competition and qualifying on merit," Tim Payton, head of the Arsenal Supporters Trust, told AFP. Supporters from both Leeds and Liverpool protested outside Elland Road ahead of Monday's Premier League match. Players have also voiced their disapproval. "I can only say my personal opinion, I don't like it and hopefully it doesn't happen," said James Milner, who captained Liverpool on Monday. - FIFA's 'disapproval' - Under the plan, two groups of 10 will play each other home and away, with the top three qualifying for the quarter-finals. The fourth and fifth-placed teams would play off for the two remaining spots. Then the competition would adopt the same two-leg knockout format used in the Champions League before a single-leg final in May. World governing body FIFA expressed its "disapproval" and called on all parties "to engage in calm, constructive and balanced dialogue". The Premier League, the richest in Europe, issued a furious statement to say "the concept of a European Super League would destroy" the dream that any team could "climb to the top and play against the best". The powerful European Club Association said it "strongly opposes" the plans after its own chairman, Juventus supremo Andrea Agnelli, stepped down. Having been heavily involved in negotiations with UEFA over a new Champions League format, Agnelli came in for stinging criticism from Ceferin. "I've never seen a person that would lie so many times, so persistently as he did. It's unbelievable," Ceferin said. But Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez, who was announced as the first Super League president, said the breakaway reflected the big clubs' wishes. "Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires," he said.

'Self-serving' Super League opens unprecedented conflict in European football

Twelve of football's most powerful clubs faced accusations of greed and cynicism on Monday as they announced a breakaway European Super League that could have far-reaching implications for the game.

Six Premier League teams -&nbsp;Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham - are involved, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan.

The clubs, most of them saddled with debt and large wage bills, and hit hard by the pandemic, stand to benefit financially, with predictions that they will share billions of euros.

But the initial reaction from football authorities, fans and pundits was furious, with threats to ban participating clubs from domestic, European and world competitions.

"Our members and football supporters across the world have experienced the ultimate betrayal," the Chelsea Supporters' Trust said.

"This is unforgivable. Enough is enough," it added.

The ESL said the founding clubs had agreed to create a "new midweek competition" to start "as soon as practicable" but that they would continue to play in their domestic leagues.

Three more clubs would be announced, the statement said, with the 15 founder members guaranteed to play each year. Another five places will available "based on achievements in the prior season".

The founding clubs will share 3.5 billion euros for infrastructure investment and to offset pandemic costs, and are expected to receive a further 10 billion euros in "solidarity payments" over the life of the initial commitment -&nbsp;much more than is available in the Champions League.

"I think there are two things in play here: one is greed and the other is desperation," former England Football Association and Manchester City chairman&nbsp;David Bernstein&nbsp;told the BBC.&nbsp;

"I think they're in a desperate situation. One of the things they haven't done during the pandemic is to impose some sort of wages control. They've got themselves into a bit of a predicament."

<h2>- UEFA threat -</h2>

Under the plan, two groups of 10 will play each other home and away, with the top three qualifying for the quarter-finals. The fourth and fifth-based teams would play off for the two remaining spots.

Then the competition would adopt the same two-leg knockout format used in the Champions League before a single-leg final in May. A women's version is also planned.

But European governing body UEFA and the English, Spanish and Italian football authorities warned the clubs face being barred from their national competitions and the Champions League.

"We... will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project," read a joint statement.

UEFA also said players from the participating clubs "could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams".

World body FIFA was less stringent, however, expressing its "disapproval" and calling on all parties "to engage in calm, constructive and balanced dialogue".

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the clubs "must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps".

With no French team among the initial ESL clubs, President Emmanuel Macron said the plans risked "threatening the principle of solidarity and sporting merit".

The ESL announcement was timed to preempt UEFA's own scheduled unveiling of reforms to the Champions League on Monday, with an expansion to 36 teams and an increase in the number of games.

The European Club Association said it "strongly opposes" the Super League while the Premier League, the richest in Europe, issued a furious statement.

"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," it said.

"We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream."

<h2>- 'Lots more to do' -</h2>

Arsenal, who are ninth in the Premier League, well off the qualification spots for Europe, hinted at the obstacles ahead, saying "there's lots more to do to bring the competition to life".

Juventus also warned that it "cannot assure that the project will be eventually successfully launched".

Juventus are facing a battle to finish in the Serie A top four this season, and seven-time European champions AC Milan have not played in the Champions League since 2014.

Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez, who was announced as the first ESL president, said the breakaway reflected the big clubs' wishes.

"Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires," he said.&nbsp;

Manchester United's American co-chairman Joel Glazer, who will be a vice-chairman of the Super League, said it "will open a new chapter for European football".&nbsp;

French and German clubs, including reigning European champions Bayern Munich and last season's beaten finalists Paris Saint-Germain, were not among the initial ESL clubs.

La Liga president Javier Tebas compared the ESL clubs to drunks leaving a bar at 5:00am "intoxicated with selfishness and a lack of solidarity".

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville called the project "an absolute disgrace".&nbsp;

"We have to wrestle back power from the clubs at the top of this league and that includes my club," he said.

Twelve of football's most powerful clubs faced accusations of greed and cynicism on Monday as they announced a breakaway European Super League that could have far-reaching implications for the game.

Twelve of football's most powerful clubs faced accusations of greed and cynicism on Monday as they announced a breakaway European Super League that could have far-reaching implications for the game. Six Premier League teams - Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham - are involved, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan. The clubs, most of them saddled with debt and large wage bills, and hit hard by the pandemic, stand to benefit financially, with predictions that they will share billions of euros. But the initial reaction from football authorities, fans and pundits was furious, with threats to ban participating clubs from domestic, European and world competitions. "Our members and football supporters across the world have experienced the ultimate betrayal," the Chelsea Supporters' Trust said. "This is unforgivable. Enough is enough," it added. The ESL said the founding clubs had agreed to create a "new midweek competition" to start "as soon as practicable" but that they would continue to play in their domestic leagues. Three more clubs would be announced, the statement said, with the 15 founder members guaranteed to play each year. Another five places will available "based on achievements in the prior season". The founding clubs will share 3.5 billion euros for infrastructure investment and to offset pandemic costs, and are expected to receive a further 10 billion euros in "solidarity payments" over the life of the initial commitment - much more than is available in the Champions League. "I think there are two things in play here: one is greed and the other is desperation," former England Football Association and Manchester City chairman David Bernstein told the BBC. "I think they're in a desperate situation. One of the things they haven't done during the pandemic is to impose some sort of wages control. They've got themselves into a bit of a predicament." - UEFA threat - Under the plan, two groups of 10 will play each other home and away, with the top three qualifying for the quarter-finals. The fourth and fifth-based teams would play off for the two remaining spots. Then the competition would adopt the same two-leg knockout format used in the Champions League before a single-leg final in May. A women's version is also planned. But European governing body UEFA and the English, Spanish and Italian football authorities warned the clubs face being barred from their national competitions and the Champions League. "We... will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project," read a joint statement. UEFA also said players from the participating clubs "could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams". World body FIFA was less stringent, however, expressing its "disapproval" and calling on all parties "to engage in calm, constructive and balanced dialogue". British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the clubs "must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps". With no French team among the initial ESL clubs, President Emmanuel Macron said the plans risked "threatening the principle of solidarity and sporting merit". The ESL announcement was timed to preempt UEFA's own scheduled unveiling of reforms to the Champions League on Monday, with an expansion to 36 teams and an increase in the number of games. The European Club Association said it "strongly opposes" the Super League while the Premier League, the richest in Europe, issued a furious statement. "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," it said. "We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream." - 'Lots more to do' - Arsenal, who are ninth in the Premier League, well off the qualification spots for Europe, hinted at the obstacles ahead, saying "there's lots more to do to bring the competition to life". Juventus also warned that it "cannot assure that the project will be eventually successfully launched". Juventus are facing a battle to finish in the Serie A top four this season, and seven-time European champions AC Milan have not played in the Champions League since 2014. Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez, who was announced as the first ESL president, said the breakaway reflected the big clubs' wishes. "Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires," he said. Manchester United's American co-chairman Joel Glazer, who will be a vice-chairman of the Super League, said it "will open a new chapter for European football". French and German clubs, including reigning European champions Bayern Munich and last season's beaten finalists Paris Saint-Germain, were not among the initial ESL clubs. La Liga president Javier Tebas compared the ESL clubs to drunks leaving a bar at 5:00am "intoxicated with selfishness and a lack of solidarity". Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville called the project "an absolute disgrace". "We have to wrestle back power from the clubs at the top of this league and that includes my club," he said.

European heavyweights face criticism over 'cynical' Super League

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'Self-serving' Super League opens unprecedented conflict in European football

European heavyweights face criticism over 'cynical' Super League