London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 17, 2026

European Super League: Protest at Leeds v Liverpool match

European Super League: Protest at Leeds v Liverpool match

Football fans have staged a demonstration against the proposed new European Super League (ESL)

About 700 supporters gathered outside Leeds United's Elland Road ground ahead of the club's Premier League game against Liverpool.

The Reds are one of the "big six" English teams signed up to the new league.

Leeds United Supporters' Trust said its members were "disgusted at the actions of six selfish football club owners".

The fans gathered at the Billy Bremner statue outside the ground as passing motorists sounded their horns in support.

Addressing protesters, Graham Hyde, of the trust, said: "Fundamentally the game is shifting from being one that has fans at the heart of it to one that is primarily about money.

"This feels like a cataclysmic shift. Now is the time to draw a line in the stand and say 'enough is enough'."

About 700 fans gathered outside the ground and then dispersed before kick-off
People united against the proposed competition included fans from Burnley and Leeds

The supporters' trust asked for fans to protest "responsibly and with respect to the ongoing pandemic".

Most had dispersed by the time the match kicked off at 20:00 BST.

In its statement, the trust added: "Success, and to an equal extent failure, are key to keeping the game real. Keeping it tangible and something that is in some way relatable to those that dedicate their lives to following it.

"The idea of the breakaway 'Super League' stands against that notion. It's about removing competition and removing the potential for failure."

A banner inside Elland Road before the match against Liverpool said "football is for the fans"

A total of 12 clubs have signed up to the new ESL competition - six of them from the English Premier League.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, would join AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid.

The clubs want a new mid-week competition and to continue competing in national leagues.

The 14 Premier League clubs not signed up to the ESL are due to meet on Tuesday to consider their response.


Manchester United fan Natalie Burrell said she was 'disgusted' by the plans


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Tech Companies Want to Move Computing Off Your Screen and Onto Your Body
White House Teleprompter Operator Earned More Than $100,000 From Bets Linked to the President's Speeches
UK Government Faces Pressure Over Extreme Heat Workplace Rules
Lewisham Council Blocks Cooperation With Home Office Immigration Enforcement
UK Parliament Investigates Growing Pressures on Scotch Whisky Industry
Teen Hackers Sentenced Over Thirty-Nine Million Pound Transport for London Cyber Attack
Ministry of Defence Acquires Scottish Fuel Terminal to Strengthen Royal Navy Operations
Bank of England Eases Rules as Economic Growth Remains Weak
Bank of England Governor Warns Andy Burnham on Britain’s Long Economic Stagnation
UK Defence Ministry Buys Scottish Fuel Terminal to Secure Naval Energy Supplies
UK Secures Access to European Defence Contracts Through Ukraine Support Deal
Bank of England Plans Easier Capital Rules to Encourage More Lending
Met Office Says England and Wales Have Already Broken Summer Heat Records
Counter-Terrorism Police Lead Investigation Into Murder of Former Minister Ann Widdecombe
UK Government Nationalises British Steel to Protect Domestic Steel Production
French National Assembly Overrides Senate to Pass Historic Assisted-Dying Legislation
Spanish Prime Minister's Wife Ordered to Stand Trial as Corruption Probes Encircle Governing Party
Zelensky Faces Kyiv Protests Over Ousting of Dynamic Ukrainian Defense Minister
Colombia Influencer Dies After Cosmetic Procedure at Unlicensed Bogota Salon
Thomas Tuchel Faces Fierce Backlash After Tactical Retreat Costs England World Cup Final Berth
A Quiet Bastille Day: France Grapples with World Cup Heartbreak and Leftover Fireworks
Canadian Wildfire Crisis Triggers Transnational Air Quality Alerts Ahead of Soccer Finale
UK Housing Reform Debate Intensifies Over Tenant Protection Measures
UK Defence Official Challenges Russian Narrative on NATO Readiness and European Security
UK Names Independent Member to Judicial Pension Board to Strengthen Oversight
UK Parliamentary Committee Sets New Framework for Select Committee Leadership Roles
UK Government Pushes Energy Savings Through School Solar Expansion Plan
UK Committee Reviews Future of Gaelic Broadcasting and Language Support
UK Government Expands Industrial Skills Support in Wales as Steel Sector Faces Change
UK Rejects Russian Claims That European Defence Spending Is Aggressive
UK Schools and Gaelic Broadcasting Among Areas Reviewed in New Parliamentary Inquiries
UK Housing Committee Calls for Stronger Tenant Protections Under Rental Reform Plans
UK Government Faces Pressure for Stronger Oversight After South East Water Failings Report
UK Parliament Opens Inquiry Into Safety of Women and Girls on Public Transport
UK Defence Ministry Appoints Interim Chief Defence Medical Officer During Transition Period
UK Government Announces Five Million Pound Skills Programme for Young People in Port Talbot
UK Government Launches Solar Programme to Cut Energy Costs for Schools
Met Office Warns Extreme Weather Is Becoming More Common Across the UK
UK Government Faces Internal Debate Over New Chancellor Appointment Under Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham Set to Become UK Prime Minister After Keir Starmer’s Resignation
UK Economy Grows Slightly in May as Supply Chain Disruptions Continue to Weigh on Industry
British Steel Moves Into UK Public Ownership to Protect Domestic Steel Production and Jobs
Spain in Ecstasy: "We Feel Unbeatable, We Taught the Whole World a Lesson"
Spain and UK Dismantle Gibraltar Border Following Landmark Schengen Integration Treaty
Church of England Rejects Plan to Rewild Thirty Percent of Land by 2030
UK Parliament Examines Future of Gaelic Broadcasting in Scotland
Thames Water Faces Criticism Over Four Million Pounds in Bonus Payments
South East Water Crisis Puts UK Water Regulation Under Renewed Scrutiny
UK Report Highlights Racial Inequality in Homelessness Support Services
UK Government Defends Proposed Social Media Curfew for Teenagers Despite Criticism
×