Chelsea appeared set to withdraw from the proposed European Super League on Tuesday, leaving the deeply divisive project on the brink of collapse following a furious backlash by fans.
Chelsea and City were two of 12 leading European clubs to sign up to the breakaway competition designed to guarantee spots each year and billions of dollars for its founding members.
But reaction to the plans has been scathing, with politicians and football authorities threatening to take legal action against the so-called “dirty dozen” and potentially ban them from domestic and continental competitions.
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