Pep Guardiola hits out at European Super League plans
City are one of six English clubs set to join the breakaway league
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke out against the proposals for a 'closed-shop' European Super League that his own club have signed up to as opposition to the plans ramped up on Tuesday.
While insisting he wanted to learn more about the details of the plans and admitting he felt uncomfortable answering questions on it, Guardiola was clear on his views of any competition in which there is no promotion of relegation.
Guardiola said:
"It is not a sport where the relation between effort and success does not exist."
"It is not a sport where success is already guaranteed. It is not a sport where it doesn't matter when you lose.''
And Guardiola called on those behind the plans - including his own bosses - to offer more information.
He said:
"They have the obligation, the duty as soon as possible, today better than tomorrow, to come out all around the world and clarify the situation that is to come, and the benefits and why they took the decision."
City have joined Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal - the so-called 'Big Six' of English football - as well as AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid in signing up for a breakaway competition which has drawn widespread opposition.
Guardiola has now joined Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp in questioning the vision of their own clubs in supporting the plans which emerged in a bombshell announcement on Sunday.
But - as Manchester United supporters' groups consider removing banners from Old Trafford to register their opposition - Red Devils forward Marcus Rashford notably shared an image carrying a quote from the club's great former manager Sir Matt Busby which reads: "Football is nothing without fans.''
The proposals have prompted a backlash from governing bodies, fans and politicians on all sides.
The remaining 14 Premier League clubs met on Tuesday to discuss the next steps, while several issued their own individual statements of opposition.
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