Atletico Madrid announce withdrawal from Super League
By Max Cooper
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have released an official statement confirming they have withdrawn from the Super League, as the number of participants continues to fall.
12 clubs originally banded together to become founders of the Super League, a private European competition for the elite teams on the continent. But protests have seen clubs perform a major U-turn, with all six Premier League sides exiting the tournament.
Atleti released a statement on Wednesday morning confirming the club has decided 'not to finally formalise its adhesion to the project,' and claimed that 'sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria.'
"Atlético de Madrid's Board of Directors, which met on Wednesday morning, has decided to formally communicate to the Super League and the rest of the founding clubs its decision not to finally formalise its adhesion to the project," the statement reads.
"Atlético de Madrid took the decision on Monday to join the project due to circumstances that no longer exist today.
"For the club, harmony between all the groups that make up the Red & White family, especially our fans, is essential.
"The first team squad and the coach have expressed their satisfaction with the club's decision, as they understand that sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria."
Atleti have become the first Spanish side to back out of the ESL, with Barcelona and Real Madrid still holding onto their prestigious tournament. Madrid president Florentino Perez is at the heart of the Super League's conception and he has remained adamant throughout that the competition can be a success.
Barça are also in a dire financial situation and see the ESL as a chance to reduce some of their crippling debt. But Atleti have washed their hands of the competition, leaving only a small handful of clubs in the money-spinning tournament.