(The Guardian) Boris Johnson has promised football groups that the government will consider using what he called “a legislative bomb” to stop English clubs joining a breakaway European Super League, as official efforts to thwart the plan were stepped up.
The prime minister and Oliver Dowden, the sports and culture secretary, held a meeting with the heads of the Football Association and Premier League, as well as representatives of fans’ groups from Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, three of the clubs involved.
At one point, according to sources, Johnson told the event: “We should drop a legislative bomb to stop it – and we should do it now.”
According to a formal No 10 statement, the prime minister told the online meeting that he would give “unwavering support” to football authorities over the issue, and condemned the ESL’s “closed shop” plan, under which 15 of the 20 league members would have permanent status, and be free from the risk of relegation.
