I’m not sure the Super League billionaires saw this coming.
On Sunday, football’s heart broke from the chest, as 12 very rich men decided they knew what the people really wanted: A sport where the little guy is irrelevant and does not deserve a place at the big table.
So it’s pretty poetic that the collective little guy has stood up to the dozen fat cats for the last 72 hours and made them realize how important each individual is, no matter how much money they have.
Another victory for the underdog – just how we like it. But when the Super League squirts to the last breath, and the 12 cowardly clubs trying to disappear from sight like Homer Simpson retreating to a hurdle, 90min takes a look at the real heroes behind the competition’s demise.
Sticking to Billions Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images
Come on, everyone, give you a round of applause! It is fair to say that the football world has never been so united in support of one thing. Even (and especially) the fans from the clubs involved were outraged, and they protested in their thousands against the Super League.
The relentless amount of abuse that came the way of the proposal on social media and on the streets gave the founders an insight into their future, and they quickly realized that they had massively read the room.
We may have won for now, but these wounds caused by our beloved football clubs take some time to heal.
Gary Neville has probably been the most influential man in this whole outbreak. He was one of the first to oppose his own club and the other breakaway sides and was not afraid to resign.
His rants have been captivating, and along with co-star Jamie Carragher, they have overshadowed actual football with their determination to end this nightmare.
The duo are the best in the industry for analysis, and their hearts are also in the right place.
?? ️ # FCBB04 #packmas pic.twitter.com/2J3Llitjej
– ??? FC Bayern English ??? (@FCBayernEN) April 20, 2021
The organizers wanted 15 founding members, but they came to the table with only 12. They would no doubt have wanted Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to join them on the dark side.
Fortunately for us, none of these teams fought. Bayern and Dortmund immediately spoke out against the tournament and left the dirty dozen really very stupid.
A Super League without last season’s two Champions League finalists? What’s so “super” about it then?
Another great show ?? it was not easy … we earned it ??? pic.twitter.com/4F9y3oyHTm
– Illan Meslier (@MeslierIllan) April 19, 2021
Leeds United are known for their thousands and are generally unpopular, but they became everyone’s number two team on Monday night. Before their collision with Liverpool, or ‘Merseyside Reds’, as the whites referred to their opponents, the players wore shirts with the words ‘Earn It’ embossed over them.
It was a reference to the integrity of our sport, and they did not disappoint us by earning a point against Super League wannabes. Leeds even left the same jerseys in Liverpool’s locker room before the match, but the Reds did not wear the controversial jersey.
We knew you would not miss the opportunity to cause trouble, boys.
? | “I do not like it and I hope it does not happen.”
James Milner speaks out against the proposed breakout European Super League …? # MNF pic.twitter.com/NkMmNJhiyA
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 19, 2021
Do not love James Milner? The joke is a class act on and off the field and a model professional, so when he speaks we listen. The experienced midfielder was asked about his thoughts on the Super League after Liverpool’s draw with Leeds, and he was as sincere as you can imagine.
“I do not like it and I hope it does not happen”, was his message to the Liverpool owner and the rest of the world. It was a groundbreaking moment for a player who was likely to enter the competition to speak out, and we all stopped from our couches.
Cheers James, for having cojones to fight for power.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says a European Super League without promotion or relegation is “not a sport” and has called on club owners to clarify the decision.
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 20, 2021
If Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp had put on the fence something during their interviews before the match, Pep Guardiola had none of it. The Manchester City boss defied his owners’ decision and went so far as to say that the Super League ‘is not a sport’.
That message provided a clear indicator to the higher powers of exactly what the football world thinks of their nasty plans, and it was not long before others found the courage to speak out.
Guardiola has revolutionized football in England over the last half decade, and he has only gone the extra mile to save it as well.
Heroes in red | OLI SCARFF / Getty Images
Harry Maguire gets a lot of stick for having a big head and not being a graceful swan around the pitch, but everyone should dismiss the man. He is the Manchester United captain – and he has shown exactly why.
Defender confronted Vice President Ed Woodward over his decision to lead the Red Devils into this Super League without even consulting the players, and his anger contributed to the resignation of the boss.
Man Utd fans will always be in your debt for it, Harry. Also call Luke Shaw, who also spoke passionately about the subject.
Captain Fantastic | Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Jordan Henderson is an amazing man. The Liverpool star sent out the captain’s signal to bring all leaders together for the second time in 12 months, this time to fight crime, rather than raise money for the NHS.
His meeting at the captain’s round table sparked others to action, and he also led a campaign in which all Liverpool troops sent their complaints on social media at the same time.
When you need to stand together, you want Hendo by your side. A real leader.
The least popular hero in history | Xavier Laine / Getty Images
This is a little hard to sell, but here it goes. Yes, Nasser Al-Khelaifi is on the UEFA committee, and yes, the Super League is against all of his best financial interests.
And with Paris Saint-Germain still in the Champions League, the threat of expulsion would hit them hard. But at least this more than unpleasant character did not follow the money, for once.
Yes, I’m also fighting to justify this.
This character is A1? pic.twitter.com/tKM4a4PHkV
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 20, 2021
Let’s join hands for the teams you love to hate! Yes, Stoke-on-Trent is not the nicest city in England, and the bet365 stadium was once described by a close friend as “the coldest place he has ever visited in his life” – and he had traveled to the highest point in Europe .
But that’s why we love football. We go through the less nice tours and follow our team through wind and rain, and that only makes the European nights under the light a little more special.
Top dollar steak is a treat, but have it three times a day, seven days a week, and you will soon find a Big Mac instead. So thank you Stoke, and all the other teams that make your traveling football experience completely torturing.
