Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has reacted furiously to the news that six Premier League clubs have agreed to join a breakaway European Super League. Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, Neville described the plan as 'an absolute disgrace' and accused the clubs involved of being motivated by 'pure greed'.
Neville singled out Manchester United and Liverpool for particular criticism, stating that the clubs cannot be relegated from the proposed competition. 'They're breaking away to a competition they can't be relegated from? It's an absolute disgrace,' he said. 'We have to wrestle back power in this country from the clubs at the top of this league – and that includes my club.'
The former defender called for severe punishment from the Premier League, including points deductions and financial penalties for the clubs involved. 'Deduct them all points, put them at the bottom of the league, and take their money off them,' Neville urged. 'Seriously, you have got to stamp on this. It's a criminal act against football fans in this country.'
Neville's comments came amid widespread condemnation of the Super League from other football figures. Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his opposition, while Gary Lineker predicted the plan would 'die on its preposterous and avaricious arse'. Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, also voiced concerns, stating that football supporters 'are the heartbeat of our national sport'.
