Millwall boss Gary Rowett gives his opinion on European Super League plans

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has voiced his disapproval at plans for a European Super League.

Twelve clubs announced yesterday that they had agreed to join the new competition. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, both Manchester clubs and Tottenham all announced they would be joining the ESL.

UEFA have threatened to throw those participating clubs out of their domestic leagues as well as barring players from representing the countries.

Rowett told the South London Press: “My thoughts, in the first instance, is that it is maybe just a way for the big clubs to have a little bit more power when it comes to renegotiating certain things – whether it is the Champions League format or whatever it is.

“If you’re talking about the big clubs breaking away then suddenly not only have you lost the whole history of all leagues, up and down Europe, but you’ve also lost that meritocracy.

“Who defines who is the biggest club? Is it down to money? Is it down to fans? Is it down to history? How do you define it? I look at a club like Everton, who have spent a lot of money on a new stadium and want to break into those areas – all of a sudden you’re going to stop that.

“I just feel it goes against the grain of the competitive nature of the divisions. Of course we know that money and power talks at the top end of the game. I can only speculate, and imagine, that is what it is about for the big teams – an even greater share of the TV rights and being in the Champions League every season, rather than having to earn the right to get in it.

“It’s a shame because you’re going to stop the likes of a Wimbledon, rising through the ranks and playing against a big team in the league. You’re going to take away five or six big clubs and, in essence, it’s going to change the whole look of the game. Therefore I would be completely against it.”