Dowden says Government will 'do what it takes' to block European Super League

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said that they were working with the game’s authorities to ensure that the plans could not go ahead as suggested.

In his Commons statement this afternoon, Mr Dowden, who is Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, said that if the sport was unable to act, then ministers were prepared to step in to protect the national game.

He said: "Be in no doubt, if they can’t act, we will. We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening.

"We are examining every option from governance to competition law to mechanisms that allow football to take place.

"We will be reviewing everything Government does to support these clubs to play. We will do whatever it takes to protect our national game."

Mr Dowden's warning follows the announcement that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City have signed up to the so-called Super League, joining teams from Italy and Spain.

A banner outside Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, today. Credit: PA

Earlier today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the breakaway plans were not "good news for fans" or for UK football.

Speaking to reporters on a campaign visit to Gloucestershire, Mr Johnson said: "I don’t like the look of these proposals. We are going to look at everything that we can do with the football authorities to make sure that this doesn’t go ahead in the way that it’s currently being proposed."

He said the teams are more than just "great global brands", adding: "They’re also clubs that have originated historically from their towns, from their cities, from their local communities. They should have a link with those fans, and with the fan base in their community.

"So it is very, very important that that continues to be the case."

Football fans opposing the European Super League outside Old Trafford in Manchester. Credit: PA

In his statement, Mr Dowden said the Government was now bringing forward its promised fan-led review of football, to be chaired by former sports minister Tracey Crouch.

He said the "root and branch" examination would cover the financial sustainability of both the men’s and women’s games, governance and regulation, and the merits of an independent regulator.

He said: "Crucially in the light of this weekend’s proposal it will also consider how fans can have an even greater say in the oversight of the game and models which might best achieve that."

Earlier, Downing Street said ministers were looking at a "range of options", with a German-style system of fan ownership of clubs and clawing back coronavirus support loans included as possibilities.

Mr Dowden said he had spoken to the Football Association and the Premier League as well as the president of Uefa, Aleksander Ceferin, who had all expressed their determination to stop the plan "in its tracks".

A Tottenham fan also protested the Super League proposal outside the club's training ground. Credit: PA

As well as the six English clubs, the Super League plan also involves Spanish sides Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona and Italian clubs AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan.

The proposal has support from investment bank JP Morgan, which will provide debt financing for the competition.

It is understood that it will underwrite around six billion US dollars (£4.3 billion) in loans for teams involved.

It would see the breakaway teams create a competition to rival the Champions League, but it would not feature relegation or promotion – leading to the accusations of a closed shop for the richest clubs.

Teams would play each other in midweek while still competing in their domestic leagues.