Reaction as Chelsea and Man City pull out of European Super League – and Ed Woodward stands down

Manchester City have withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL) – with Chelsea preparing to follow suit according to media reports.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have reportedly also withdrawn, but it is understood other Premier League clubs have not changed their position.

Stamford Bridge chiefs were only thought to have signed up as a founder member of the Super League in order not to be left behind by the rogue breakaway.

But after resounding condemnation from across the political and sporting spectrum, Chelsea appear to have decided to pull out of the competition – less than 48 hours after it was announced.

Fans launched a mass protest outside of Stamford Bridge, with banners criticising the club for their decision to join the controversial Super League.

Brighton and Hove Albion also sported the same ‘Earn It’ t-shirts that Leeds United players wore before their clash with Liverpool last night that infuriated Jurgen Klopp.

And in a sign that the dominoes are really starting to topple, Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman of Manchester United and one of the instigators of the breakaway league resigned his position, according to Sky Spots.

Understandably, the reaction has been fierce:

Here they go pic.twitter.com/hzpkwrfPLO

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 20, 2021

Ed Woodward has resigned as chairman of Manchester United.

United fans: pic.twitter.com/dZdsH6XuDs

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 20, 2021

?⚽️ NEW: European Super League latest:

❌ Chelsea – OUT
❌ Man City – OUT
❌ Atletico – OUT
❌ Barcelona- OUT

— Politics For All (@PoliticsForAlI) April 20, 2021

C’mon MCFC do the rite thing fuck it off we’re better than this as we were LG x

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) April 20, 2021

Roman Abramovich decided Chelsea could not go ahead with joining the ESL and, together with the board, he gave the green light for the club to start preparing documentation to pull out.

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) April 20, 2021

???@ChelseaFC fans ? pic.twitter.com/hUHEGUHldQ

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 20, 2021

Ed Woodward has resigned as Manchester United executive vice chairman because of the #SuperLeague situation. ? #MUFC

Manchester City and Chelsea have intention to leave the #SuperLeague and are preparing with their legal teams. ?? #MCFC #CFC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 20, 2021

Related: European Super League chairman: ‘We’re doing this to save football’