Why have the teams decided now to set up their Super League?

UEFA was set to announce its overhaul of the Champions League yesterday – and the Super League revelation pre-empted that. Coronavirus gave clubs time to negotiate – and let them claim debts had been worsened by the pandemic, so now was the right time financially.

Is this all to do with TV rights?

No. By quitting the existing structures, the clubs can strike their own TV deals.

How often would they play?

Clubs, in two groups of 10, would play between 18 and 23 matches mid-week.

If it goes ahead when would it launch?

Due to start in August 2022, but it could go this summer if football boot the rebel clubs out of next season’s competitions.

Can anything be done to stop it now?

Whitehall lawyers are poring over League rules to see if the Big Six would be acting as a “cartel”. The Culture Secretary also hinted legislation could be fast-tracked to block it.

Would it be so bad for the Premier League if they continued to play in it?

The extra cash the rebel half-dozen would reap would make it impossible for the other 14 top-flight clubs to compete.

Can players be banned from playing for their country if their clubs join?

FIFA has said any players involved could be denied the chance to play at a World Cup. UEFA said players would be banned from ALL other competitions.

Would players stay with clubs if they lose a chance to play for their country?

Many would be prepared to sacrifice playing at World Cup finals for a salary of hundreds of thousands a week .

The clubs must have known how fans would react, why are they going ahead?

Clubs stand to pocket £303m each. Many have huge debts and want more cash.

If fans stopped going to matches would that be enough of a financial blow?

For all fans’ anger, many will still pay for TV subscriptions and stadium tickets to watch their teams face Europe’s best.

Will they still go ahead if they can’t get the French and Germans to sign up?

Probably, if the money is still worth it. The best-supported clubs and the most famous are in England, Italy and Spain.

What about the women’s/youth teams?

All a club’s players would face the same sanctions. Super League say eventually they want a women’s version, but it would not feature top women’s team Lyon.