HODGSON: FANS PLAYED HUGE PART IN DEMISE OF PROPOSAL

ROY Hodgson believes the fabric of football was “in danger of being torn apart” by the European Super League. The Premier League’s socalled ‘big six’ announced on Sunday their plans to be founder members of a new European Super League. The backlash from fans, the game’s governing bodies and even the Government was so negative that, by Tuesday, all six clubs - Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea - had withdrawn from the process. Hodgson, who managed two of the clubs involved in the breakaway in Liverpool and Inter Milan, praised the fans who helped bring about the collapse of the proposal. “It’s part and parcel of our fabric and that fabric was in danger of being torn apart by the proposal to start of with the European Super League which would have dismissed opportunities for so many other clubs - not just in England but all over Europe - and I’m delighted the fans have played such a major part in bringing this all about,” the Crystal Palace manager said. “I was immensely pleased and appreciative of the efforts they made: you can see those people outside Chelsea’s ground protesting, you can see the banners put up at Anfield, all of those things which people had to do quickly, to mobilise that type of support and organise that type of protest. I was very pleasantly surprised that they’ve been able to do it. “Whether I was shocked at the power of the fans, I don’t know that I am. I don’t know that I’ve ever underestimated the power of the fans. “I’ve always tried at least to realise that although you’re working with a group of footballers, you’re working for owners, your employers who you have satisfy - I don’t think I’ve ever dismissed the realisation that it’s the however many thousands that come to the stadium and watch and however many thousands more that can’t get to the stadium but still support the club.”