MU And Arsenal Leave The European Club Association, Join The European Super League

Arsenal player Willian fighting over the ball with Manchester United's Freed (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Manchester United (MU) and Arsenal have resigned from the European Club Association (ECA) and United's executive deputy, Ed Woodward, left his post at UEFA after plans for the European Super League (ESL) were announced.

A statement released on Sunday evening confirmed that 12 clubs, including United and Arsenal, had agreed to form their own league which would be run by the founding clubs.

According to a Goal report as reported by Antara on Monday, the joining of the two English clubs to the European Super League means that they have withdrawn from the ECA.

The United executive deputy no longer holds a role at UEFA and Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham has stepped down from his position on the ECA board in a move signaling the club's intention to advance this controversial plan.

The executive vice-chairman was appointed to the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Board as an ECA representative in September 2017. His role is to advise and assist in the structure of European football's governing body.

However, with United joining ESL, Woodward will no longer occupy that role at UEFA. Meanwhile, Venkatesham was only elected to the ECA board two months ago.

United also confirmed that co-owner Joel Glazer will become vice chairman of the European Super League.

The involvement of the two clubs in the ESL also made them no longer part of the ECA, which is a professional body that represents the interests of clubs in UEFA competitions.

This move is another statement of intent that the 12 founding clubs want to push for their new league.

Twelve of Europe's leading football clubs officially announced today that they have agreed to form a new competition, which will be run by the founding clubs.

AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, ​​Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have joined as the founding clubs. It is estimated that three other clubs will join before the start of the season, which will be held as soon as possible.