Ed Woodward promises that Manchester United will not seek to revive the European Super League
According to Teamtalk, outgoing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has promised that Manchester United will not seek to revive the European Super League.
The Red Devils were one of the six English sides who had committed to the breakaway competition last week. It drew fierce backlash from all quarters, leading to all six teams pulling out.
Real Madrid and Super League president Florentino Perez later went on record stating that the teams have not officially left and have signed a binding contract.
Speaking in the fans forum on Friday, Woodward apologized for the plans that caused much anger within the fanbase. The Glazers who had earlier penned an open letter were absent for the proceedings.
“I can assure you that we have learned our lesson from the events of the past week and we do not seek any revival of the Super League plans.”
He goes on to add that while United would have benefitted financially from the proposal, the money would have trickled down to those in the lower tiers of the pyramid. Woodward has also gone on to reveal that the club made errors regarding fundamental elements that should not have been the case.
“While there would have been a substantial increase in solidarity payments from the leading clubs to the rest of the pyramid across Europe, we fully accept that there were fundamental elements which were badly misjudged.”
No going back?
Woodward’s apology however found few takers. A letter signed by the vast majority of fan forum members read out to him during the meeting demanded positive change and rejected co-chairman Joel Glazer’s apology.
The forum accused the owners of staying true to their word and reaffirdmed the belief that they are interested only in monetary gain, even at the cost of ethics.
“Actions speak louder than words and he and his family have shown time and again that their sole motivation is personal profit at the expense of our football club.”
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The anger against the ESL has revived the anti-Glazer sentiment prevalent among a large number of supporters. Another protest has been scheduled ahead of this weekend’s clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
It is fair to say that Joel Glazer’s letter means nothing when he was once again conveniently absent for today’s meeting. So much for his efforts to mend fences.
