West Ham have been one of many English clubs to have condemned proposals regarding the breakaway European Super League which has led to all six English clubs withdrawing from the proposal.
Following a meeting between senior West Ham officials and the Independent Supporters’ Committee, Hammers Vice-Chairman, Karren Brady, met with representatives from the 13 other Premier League clubs outside the ‘big six’.
In a statement released on the West Ham website and official Twitter page, it said, “West Ham United shared its views and those of its supporters expressing vehement opposition to the proposal for a Super League at a Premier League meeting held on Tuesday morning.”
It continued, by saying that West Ham share the stance of the “13 other Premier League clubs, with unequivocally strong disapproval” of the idea saying the proposal “undermines our values and those of the game we all hold so dear.”
Proud Traditions
The statement went on to talk about how proud the club is of its traditions, being founded by shipbuilders in 1895 under the name Thames Ironworks. The FA Cup wins, the promotions and European trophies West Ham have won all got mentioned too, hinting at the moments that could’ve lost if the Super League went ahead. They said it would damage the history of football and “go totally against the ethos and values” of the club.
West Ham went onto criticise the ESL even further claiming it would ruin the integrity of football and fair competition and that the club has “a social responsibility” to stop this.
West Ham Prove Why the Super League Would Be Damaging
The success of West Ham this season has been one of many key arguments that has led to the end of the European Super League. The Hammers currently sit level on points with Chelsea in fourth, the final Champions League place. Under the Super League’s rules, the Hammers won’t receive any reward for finishing high up in the league and beating the self-proclaimed ‘super six’.
As Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, said during a European Super League rant ahead of his side’s match versus Leeds, “I like the competitive aspect of football, I like that West Ham might play in the Champions League.”
Klopp carried on, “(Of course) I don’t want them to, because we want to, but I like that they have the chance.”
West Ham and Leicester’s successes this season has clearly threatened the struggling Spurs and Arsenal who might not get European football this campaign and they were looking to find a way to secure their European status without merit.
What Do The Fans Think?
Rising East spoke to Andreas Luxton, a Spurs fan, he said, “It’s been embarrassing and I’m happy we are out of it. I would’ve stopped going to Spurs games and buying merchandise if we went into the Super League.”
He continued on the punishment those clubs should face, “banning them from the league would be unfair on the fans but we have to be punished with a points deduction – its only fair.”
West Ham season ticket holder John Cook said, “the six clubs must still face punishment, they can’t get away with it. The owners are now apologising but it is clear they went behind the fans and their own employees’ back and this can’t be forgotten. I’m happy we were never involved.”
With the news filtering through that all six English clubs, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all ‘pulled out’ of the ESL, the actions of these owners cannot be forgiven for the actions they did, they would have ruined football as we know it and for that, they can never be forgiven.
