BACKLASH!

++ Premier League strip Big Six chiefs of key roles ++ Fans call for Henry, Glazer and Co to go after failed Super League

The Premier League backlash against the Big Six rebels began yesterday with representatives of the clubs kicked out of key positions within the top flight.

The organisation will also use their position of power to demand the rebel clubs recommit to the league’s existing structure and collective approach to TV rights sales as the price for their aborted attempt to join the european Super League. In the first punishments, the Big Six will be stripped of their positions on key committees and working groups, with Premier League chief executive Richard Masters asking their representatives to step down yesterday.

On a day when supporters’ groups also demanded change in the leadership of their clubs, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck suffered further embarrassment when he was told to relinquish his position on the Premier League’s nominations and remuneration committee where he had been a key lieutenant to former executive chairman Richard Scudamore.

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano and Arsenal’s Vinai Venkatesham have been taken off the Club Strategic Advisory Group which has been tasked with a strategic review.

The Premier League are also seeking the removal of Liverpool’s Tom Werner

spectacular implosion, it is unclear whether the clause will be enforced.

For real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Manchester United’s outgoing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, the ESL was the first step in their vision to create a global franchise, with similar invitation-only super leagues in South America, Asia and Africa in the future.

There were even discussions about a world championship involving the winners of the various continental leagues in a direct challenge to FiFA’s Club World Cup.