Just days ago, it looked like some of the most famous soccer teams in Europe were forming their own league, called the Super League.

Just 48 hours later, the Super League idea fell apart.

Led by Florentino Perez, the head of Spain's Real Madrid, 12 teams, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus and A.C. Milan, said they would start a new European soccer competition for professional teams.

Liverpool fans protest the planned European Super League outside the stadium before the match April 19, 2021 (REUTERS/Lee Smith)

Two major governing bodies for soccer – FIFA and UEFA – threatened to ban those teams and their players from future games. The announcement led to anger from soccer fans. It also concerned officials in Great Britain, France and Italy.

Most of the British teams pulled out on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, teams from Spain and Italy also decided not to join the league. Teams from France and Germany did not take part.

Some teams said they felt pressured to join the new league because they worried about being left behind. They said they did not want to upset their fans and did not think hard enough about the decision.

The teams said they started the league because they are having financial problems during the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. bank J.P. Morgan had offered the teams about $4 billion to start the new league.

Fans called the 12 teams in the Super League "the dirty dozen." They were upset that teams would not have to win games to play in the league's tournament. Their places would be guaranteed. In order to play in the Champions League, teams must do well the year before.

Leeds players wore shirts saying "earn it" before their game against Liverpool. And fans' protests delayed the start of Chelsea's game.

Even players and managers on the breakaway teams seemed upset that they were not asked for their opinion ahead of time.

Luke Shaw, who plays for Manchester United, expressed his support for the current Champions League on Twitter. Jordan Henderson from Liverpool posted a similar message, saying he and other players on the team wanted to stay with the current system.

Aleksander Ceferin is the head of UEFA, the governing body of soccer in Europe. He had criticized the Super League plan on Monday. He said it was good that the teams reconsidered and admitted their error.

Ceferin added, "The important thing now is that we move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together."

I'm Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting by the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor.

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Words in This Story

league –n. a group of sports teams that play against each other

tournament –n. a sports competition or series of contests that involves many players or teams and that usually continues for at least several days

dozen –n. a casual way to say the number 12

qualify –v. to have the right to do, have, or be a part of something

unity –n. the state of being in full agreement