Troy Deeney joins others opposing European Super League

The Watford striker has echoed thousands of people claiming this is just being used as a money-spinner for football owners, by stating the proposal is "all about capitalising on lucrative global audiences".

Writing in his Sun newspaper column, Deeney says he hopes the plan for England’s 'Big Six' to form their own European competition "never happens", and thinks we are all "witnessing a huge game of poker" between UEFA and all of the other authorities involved.

On Sunday, it was announced 12 clubs across Europe were forming their own annual competition which the clubs were all guaranteed to play in, as founding members.

But the plans have been met with condemnation across the globe. The UK Government said yesterday it would do "whatever it takes" to protect the national game and now Deeney has expressed his opposition to the Super League.

He wrote in his column: "In my heart of hearts, I believe - and I hope - that a breakaway European Super League will not happen.

"But the threat is real and the questions, for footballers as well fans, are endless.

"Will Watford be promoted into a Premier League without the Big Six next season?

"Will we ever see another story as inspiring as Jamie Vardy’s, who rose from non-league to Leicester, where he won promotion, won the Premier League and played in the Champions League?

"Will Harry Kane have to choose between playing Super League football with Tottenham or breaking the England goalscoring record because players from the proposed “rebel” league will have been banned from the international game?”

A plane with 'Say No To Super League' is flown over Elland Road during last night's match between Leeds and Liverpool. Credit: PA

Fans of the 'Big Six' have joined others in condemning the proposal. A banner is left outside Liverpool's ground. Credit: PA

Rumours of revamped European competition has been brewing for years but Deeney appears to be particularly concerned about this proposal.

He wrote: "This threat of a closed-shop European Super League is more advanced and more serious than similar plots over the years.

"I still believe we are witnessing a huge game of poker with Uefa, national associations and leagues pitted against the 12 'founding clubs' of the Super League.

"There are some massive egos and major levels of testosterone involved in this high-stakes game."

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham have signed up to the Super League, along with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Credit: PA

He added: "I hope both sides can come to a common-sense compromise that allows football as we know it to continue, keeping the 12 clubs, within Fifa, Uefa and their own national leagues.

"There will be courtroom battles — the Super League clubs are already preparing legal action in attempts to stop themselves being expelled from domestic leagues.

"There will be posturing and bluffing while we wait to see which side blinks first.

"If the Big Six were expelled then English domestic football will continue without them, with many huge clubs still involved."

Troy Deeney. Credit: PA

Watford hope to be back in the Premier League after one season away – and Deeney is hoping if the Hornets do make it, they’ll be up against the country’s biggest sides.

He wrote: "Let’s hope it never happens — let’s hope for more stories like Vardy’s, that Kane can become England’s leading scorer and still play elite club football.

"And that Watford get to play the Big Six again next season, because the Premier League would be nothing near the same without them.”