Summary

  • FT: Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

  • Blues and Man City to leave European Super League

  • Home fans gather to protest the ESL outside Stamford Bridge

  • Chelsea move back into top four; Brighton seven points clear of drop

  • White sent off in stoppage time

  • Get involved via #bbcfootball or text 81111

Live Reporting

Phil Dawkes

  1. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    The only good thing that has come from this horrific betrayal at the top of our game is the fact that fans of clubs, who under normal circumstances cannot stand one another, are united and stand in solidarity against the six shameless owners who are trying to steal our game. Our love of our sport is greater than any affiliation to a club.

    Matt from Poole

    As a Fulham fan I have no doubt that our ownership would have signed up to the Super League if we were in a position to do so, despite the statement from the chairman. I think most PL clubs owners would have done the same sadly. Hopefully it can be stopped and its then time for all clubs to follow the German model of 51% fan ownership.

    Nick, SW London

    Having been a loyal Man Utd fan since the days of the Munich air crash, I can't believe our owners have put pen to a plan that threatens the teams existence, Sir Bobby who is ill would be heartbroken by what is happening. Please let us all stand against this plan.

    Jonathan

  2. 'Earn it'

    Chelsea v Brighton (20:00 BST)

    You may have seen the shirts worn by Leeds players last night, stating: "Football is for the fans" and that teams wanting Champions League football should "earn it".

    We understand Brighton players will wear similar t-shirts in the warm up for tonight's game.

  3. 'Not a sport when success is guaranteed'

    'It's not a sport if success is already guaranteed' - Guardiola on ESL

  4. 'I don't like it one bit'

    Liverpool midfielder James Milner speaks against club's involvement in Super League

  5. 'Players not to blame'

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his players are not to blame for Super League move

  6. I can't offer you any further quotes from those behind the plan, certainly not those in charge of the six Premier League clubs, because they've not come out and offered any.

    The managers and some players of the clubs they own have been hung out to dr.... sorry, questioned about it by the press.

    Here is what some of them had to say...

  7. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    The audacity of Perez to claim this is about "saving football" makes my blood boil and demonstrates the contempt these owners have for the fans. What they've done is bad enough without insulting our intelligence as well

    Daniel

    If Florentino Perez seriously believes what he says then I'd like some of whatever he's on.

    Stuart, York

    If, as Perez suggests that this all about reducing boring matches, then I’m in. Who wouldn’t want endless repeats of some of this season’s classics? Chelsea 0 - Man U 0 Man U 0 - Chelsea 0 Man U 0 - Man City 0 Arsenal 0 - Man U 0 Liverpool 0 - Man U 0 Chelsea 0 - Spurs 0

    Dave, Surrey

  8. European Super League created to 'save football'

    European Super League: 'We want to save football' says chairman Perez

    We're all about balance here at the BBC, so here is the case for the Super League...

    Today, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez - one of the leaders of the breakaway plan - has been talking about it (and doing a pretty good PR job for the case against it, in truth).

    Perez said the move had been made because young people are "no longer interested in football" because of "a lot of poor quality games".

    "Whenever there is change, there are always people who oppose it," Perez told Spanish TV show El Chiringuito de Jugones.

    "We are doing this to save football at this critical moment.

    "If we continue with the Champions League there is less and less interest and then it's over.

    "The new format which starts in 2024 is absurd. In 2024, we are all dead."

  9. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    So much vitriol towards the 'big six' without justification. Blame the owners not the clubs, all this talk of banning and throwing teams out when the managers and players have done nothing wrong is ridiculous.

    Has

    I think international bans for players that play in the ESL is wrong. Club owners should be affected by the punishments not the players who have no power in this scenario. You can tell that by the fact they all seemed to find out at the same time as we did. Fine the clubs and use the money to support lower league clubs.

    Simon - Man Utd fan

  10. 'Plain and simply wrong'

    Alan Shearer: Ban European Super League clubs from Premier League

  11. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    What gives current Real Madrid / new ESL president Perez the right to speak on behalf of young football fans by claiming we don't enjoy the game anymore? It's the most obscure, wayward, and just outright wrong statements I've heard from all of this. How dare he justify this nonsense by making incorrect statements on behalf of millions of young football fans.

    Danny S, Bradford

    As a West Ham fan and Atletico Madrid fan for the 8 years I have lived here I am so disgusted at this move. From an English stance it's pure greed and selfishness with no thought for the fans. As an Atletico fan I will not wear my shirt again or go to the Wanda. The club has let go of its roots and its position as a club who cares about the fans. I'm done.

    Paddy, Madrid

    The 'European Super League' will collapse within weeks, if not days. Then the greedy six should start the next Prem season on minus 20 points each. The regulation of football needs looking at and the owners of all 6 clubs should be fined.

    Si, Hull

  12. 'Backlash is growing'

    BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan talking to BBC News outside Etihad Stadium:

    The backlash is growing. More protests outside Stamford Bridge tonight. The fans often divided are now united. Tonight the 14 teams met to discuss how they could block it. The rebels insist they are helping football.

    The consequences could be seismic. Players warned they could be banned from the World Cup. This could be the natural conclusion of growing billionaire owners in the game.

    The government has said it would consider legislation to block the proposals.

    The disapproval of Man City manager Pep Guardiola highlights the tension and divsions and could the wide backlash have sparked a rethink here? There are suggestions Man City are reconsidering their membership to the European Super League

    No comment from the club and it's not clear how they could withdraw now. Some positive news for the prospect of the Super League is a Spanish court has said they must not punish players and clubs until prospals are finalised. What happens on the pitch may be decided in the courts.

  13. Sadly Ashwin, I think the 'club's should only spend what they have' ship has long sailed.

  14. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    Ashwin R: May be the clubs should not offer higher wages! If they can’t afford a player just don’t buy that player. Live within your means!! If that bloke Florentino Perez spends more that Real earns, that’s entirely his fault!

  15. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    I'm not sure I can add anything to the debate that hasn't already been said incredibly passionately by other pundits and commentators over the last few days.

    The voices that really matter in all this are real football fans, the true custodians of the game. You.

    So I'm going to hand as much of this live text commentary as I can over to the people sat at home staring at their computer or flicking through their phone, to say what you want to say about the Super League.

    To do this just contact us using the hashtag #bbcfootball on Twitter or text us on 81111 (UK only).

  16. The "Super" League

    I'm referring, of course, to the European Super League... or is it just The Super League? Regardless, it's that break-away effort by 12 of Europe's top clubs, including six from the Premier League, to form a league that is largely devoid of relegation and promotion and threatening the very integrity of football as we know it.

  17. The only story in town

    Banner at Etihad StadiumGetty Images

    In an ordinary world, I'd be coming on here this evening to build up to and describe a hard-fought Premier League game between one side fighting for Champions League qualification and another battling against relegation. You know, a match with stakes and, as a result, some interest.

    Unfortunately, football is not in an ordinary place at the moment.

    Don't worry, we'll get to tonight's game between Chelsea and Brighton in due course. But first, we have to tackle the issue that has mutated from the elephant in the room to a bull in a china shop.

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  19. Making their voices heard

    Did you think tonight was just going to be about a game of football?

    Fans at Stamford BridgeGetty Images
    Fans at Stamford BridgeGetty Images
    Fans at Stamford BridgeGetty Images
    Fans at Stamford BridgeGetty Images