OFFICIAL: Inter & Atletico drop out of Super League

Only four of the 12 founding members of the hugely controversial competition now remain in the picture.

The European Super League project was dealt with another fatal blow on Wednesday morning as Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have announced their intention to withdraw from the competition.

Furious reaction from fans, former players, pundits, and politicians forced all the six Premier League participants – the Manchester Clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham – to back out of the competition designed to rival the UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Juventus, and AC Milan are now the only four teams remaining in the breakaway league as two more sides have dropped out.

A statement on Inter’s website read: “FC Internazionale Milano confirm that the Club is no longer part of the Super League project.

“We are always committed to giving fans the best football experience; innovation and inclusion are part of our DNA since our foundation. Our engagement with all stakeholders to improve the football industry will never change.

“Inter believes that football, like every sector of activity, must have an interest in constantly improving its competitions, to keep on exciting fans of all ages around the world, within a framework of financial sustainability.

“With this vision we look forward to carry on working together with institutions and all stakeholders for the future of the sport we all love.”

A statement on Atletico’s website read: “Atletico de Madrid’s Board of Directors, which met on Wednesday morning, has decided to formally communicate to the Super League and the rest of the founding clubs its decision not to finally formalise its adhesion to the project.

“Atletico de Madrid took the decision on Monday to join the project due to circumstances that no longer exist today.

“For the club, harmony between all the groups that make up the Red & White family, especially our fans, is essential.

“The first team squad and the coach have expressed their satisfaction with the club’s decision, as they understand that sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria.”