Agnelli admits Super League cannot go ahead after English clubs pull out

The European Super League founder and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli has said that the breakaway can no longer go ahead after six English clubs withdrew, The Guardian reported.

"To be frank and honest no, evidently that is not the case," Agnelli told Reuters when asked whether the project could still happen after the exits.

Agnelli insisted he remained convinced that European football needed change and had no regrets about the way the breakaway attempt was made.

"I remain convinced of the beauty of that project," he said, stating it would have created the best competition in the world. "But admittedly … I mean, I don't think that that project is now still up and running."

Earlier, the Super League had vowed to "reshape the project" after its plans were left in tatters. Chelsea led the way on Tuesday, signalling an abrupt U-turn just 48 hours after Sunday's bombshell announcement about the creation of the controversial league. Manchester City followed suit before Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham completed the Premier League contingent's embarrassing volte face.

"Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations," an ESL statement read. "Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community."

The Guardian understands, the Italian clubs Milan and Internazionale were on Tuesday night reportedly also considering jumping ship, leaving a third Serie A club, Juventus, and the Spanish trio Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona as the last standing members of the breakaway group.

The six Premier League clubs bailed after a furious backlash to the plan from fans, players and managers over the past two days. The UK government expressed its willingness to use legislation to derail the project, while there was also a royal intervention from Prince William.

Meanwhile, the Football Association threatened sanctions on clubs and bans for players at rebel clubs, as did Uefa – the European governing body – and Fifa, its global counterpart.

Yet undeterred by the fallout, the ESL, headed by Real Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, said it remained committed to getting the project up and running, even though any competition that did emerge would bear little resemblance to what was originally planned.

"The European Super League is convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change," the statement said.