The swift response from English supporters contrasts with the muted reaction across mainland Europe, revealing differing attitudes towards club ownership.
In a dramatic show of opposition, English football fans quickly mobilized against the proposed European Super League (ESL), a stark contrast to the more subdued reactions from supporters in mainland Europe. The Chelsea Supporters Trust (CST), along with other fan groups from the Premier League’s “big six,” sprang into action after rumors of the breakaway league began circulating on Sunday afternoon.
Dan Silver, a board member of CST, recalls that a meeting with club officials just days earlier had been cordial, with no hint of the controversy about to erupt. But as soon as the news broke, fans were ready to make their voices heard. “We mobilized straight away because we knew we had to be ready,” Silver said. Drawing from past experiences, such as protests against rising ticket prices, fans knew that quick action could have a significant impact.
Within minutes of the ESL’s announcement, CST and supporters from clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City united to express their outrage. At 11:44 pm, just 33 minutes after the announcement, CST tweeted that fans had been “betrayed” and demanded answers from the club owners. This was a sentiment shared by supporters of Arsenal and Tottenham, who also pledged to fight against the creation of a “closed-shop” competition that could irreversibly alter the future of football.
Protests erupted across the UK, with fans gathering outside stadiums and training grounds. Chelsea’s quick reversal and decision to withdraw from the ESL was seen as a victory for the fans, especially after scenes of hundreds of supporters rallying outside Stamford Bridge. Despite Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez’s controversial claim that only 40 Chelsea fans had protested, estimates suggest that over 1,000 people were present, including supporters from other clubs not involved in the ESL.
In contrast, the reaction in Italy reflected a long-standing cultural reluctance to engage in football democracy, with fewer demonstrations against the ESL, underscoring the divide in attitudes towards club ownership and fan influence across Europe.
