Local leaders in Greater Manchesterand Liverpool have declared that the fans’ fight for football is “far from over” despite the collapse of the European Super League – announcing a new ‘Reclaim Our Game’ campaignto fix a “broken” modern game.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Centre Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram have banded together for a joint project in light of the Super League fiasco – stating that now is the time for “real reform of football so fans have a proper say in how their clubs are run.”
The Northern leaders added: “The failed proposals for the European Super League have shown that modern football is broken. Now is the time to fix it.”
The new campaign is calling on the government to legislate to require all English clubs to secure a 51% majority of their registered season ticket holders on any major decision that affects the club; adopting a model similar to the one seen in German football where fans retain majority control.
Additionally, the campaign asks for an independent financial regulator for all pro leagues and clubs.
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The Mayors also state that “legislation should require vendors to make shares available on a first refusal basis to recognised, democratically-controlled supporters’ trusts.”
Lastly, the campaign calls on Uefa to “rethink proposals for Champions League reform.”
All six English clubs – including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool – pulled out of the widely-criticised breakaway European Super League on Tuesday (April 20) evening.
The news was met with jubilation from fans, players, MPs, and major football organisations.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said it was time to “move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together.”
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But local leaders in Manchester and Liverpool suggested the fight was only just beginning.
Rotheram emphasised that “we can’t let this happen again”, whilst Burnham claimed that a cross-party campaign was required to “reclaim the game for supporters, with independent regulation of ownership and finances.”
Manchester United said it had “listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other key stakeholders” when making its decision to withdraw from the Super League.
Man Utd’s Vice President Ed Woodward, who was involved in discussions for the league, also announced he would resign from his role at the end of the season.
The owner of Liverpool, John W Henry, has since apologised to fans, saying “I heard you… I alone am responsible”.
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Meanwhile, the Super League said it would take “appropriate steps to reshape the project”.
A statement read: “Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
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Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City
Danny Jones
Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.
It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.
Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.
Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.
Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…
“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
The Manc -
21st April 2021 
