KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has jumped into the row over the threat of a breakaway European Super League being created by clubs including six from England.

Johnson said the plans would be “very damaging for football” and that the UK government supported resistance proposed by world federation FIFA and European governing body UEFA.

He added: “The clubs involved must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said in a statement the government is “concerned this plan could create a closed shop at the very top of our national game”.

He added: “We have a football pyramid where funds from the globally successful Premier League flow down the leagues and into local communities. I would be bitterly disappointed to see any action that destroys that.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer said the clubs involved should “rethink immediately” or “face the consequences of their actions”.

He added: “This proposal risks shutting the door on fans for good, reducing them to mere spectators and consumers.”

Fans’ organisations have also been strongly critical of the Super League proposal.

The Football Supporters’ Association said it is “totally opposed” to the plans, which it said were “motivated by nothing but cynical greed”.

It added: “This competition is being created behind our backs by billionaire club owners who have zero regard for the game’s traditions and continue to treat football as their personal fiefdom.”

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