Gary Neville has said the Premier League sides involved in the breakaway European Super League should be docked points, as he branded it "a criminal act" against football fans.
Twelve of Europe's biggest clubs are reportedly set to announce an agreement for a breakaway European Super League on Sunday, with the Premier League 'big six' of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham among them.
The Premier League have already released a statement threatening to ban any team that decides to take part - but an impassioned Neville called for immediate action on air, as he labelled the treatment of fans "criminal".
While commentating on Manchester United vs Burnley for Sky Sports, the former England right-back made it clear he thought the best interest of fans were being ignored by greedy club owners, saying: "In the wake of Covid, it's an absolute scandal.
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"Manchester United and the rest of the big six clubs who have signed up for it should be ashamed of themselves."
He took particular aim of the inclusion of Arsenal in the 'big six', which is based on the clubs' size and financial resources rather than recent achievement.
"The European Super League, are Arsenal in that?" Neville asked. "They've just drawn with Fulham! And Manchester United are drawing with Burnley. I must admit, I can't concentrate on the game, me.
"They should be docked, all the six teams that have signed up to it. Deduct points off them all - to do it during a season, it's a joke."
Neville spoke again after Man United's eventual 3-1 win, making it clear that he feels that "fair play" is under threat, pointing out that football should - in an ideal world - be a meritocracy where success should be rewarded.
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"Deduct them all points tomorrow, put them at the bottom of the league and take their money off them... it's a criminal act against football fans in this country," said Neville.
He added: "In the midst of a pandemic, an economic crisis, football clubs at National League level going bust nearly, furloughing players, clubs on the edge in League One and Two - and these lot are having Zoom calls about breaking away and basically creating more greed?"
The six Premier League sides are joined by a trio from Serie A in Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus; as well as three from La Liga: Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona. However it does not yet include any clubs from the Bundesliga or Ligue 1.
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The idea has been mooted for some time, without any serious plans being put in place. But it's clearly not going away and Manchester United legend Neville wants the clubs involved in the discussions put firmly in their place.
All imagery: PA Images/Sky Sports
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Premier League, Arsenal, Gary Neville
