Everton have released a strong statement slamming the Premier League's "Big Six" for signing up to the much-maligned European Super League.
Having seen the shocking news that the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs are among the 12 founding clubs for the breakaway, the Toffees' board of directors have not held back with a scathing message on their official club website.
Everton ripped into their fellow Premier League sides for their selfishness and greed and accused the six clubs of disrespecting those around them in the top flight - as well as betraying supporters all over the country with unwanted "preposterous arrogance".
They also say that the backlash over the news is very much deserved and want the proposals and plans to be axed before they come to fruition and ruin the football pyramid as we know it.
Advert
The full statement reads: "Everton is saddened and disappointed to see proposals of a breakaway league pushed forward by six clubs.
"Six clubs acting entirely in their own interests. Six clubs tarnishing the reputation of our league and the game.
"Six clubs choosing to disrespect every other club with whom they sit around the Premier League table.
"Six clubs taking for granted and even betraying the majority of football supporters across our country and beyond.
Advert
"At this time of national and international crisis - and a defining period for our game - clubs should be working together collaboratively with the ideals of our game and its supporters uppermost.
"Instead, these clubs have been secretly conspiring to break away from a football pyramid that has served them so well.
"And in that Pyramid Everton salutes EVERY club, be it Leicester City, Accrington Stanley, Gillingham, Lincoln City, Morecambe, Southend United, Notts County and the rest who have, with their very being, enriched the lives of their supporters throughout the game's history. And vice versa.
"The self-proclaimed Super Six appear intent on disenfranchising supporters across the game - including their own - by putting the very structure that underpins the game we love under threat.
Advert
"The backlash is understandable and deserved - and has to be listened to.
"This preposterous arrogance is not wanted anywhere in football outside of the clubs that have drafted this plan.
"On behalf of everyone associated with Everton, we respectfully ask that the proposals are immediately withdrawn and that the private meetings and subversive practises that have brought our beautiful game to possibly its lowest ever position in terms of trust end now.
"Finally we would ask the owners, chairmen, and Board members of the six clubs to remember the privileged position they hold - not only as custodians of their clubs but also custodians of the game. The responsibility they carry should be taken seriously.
Advert
"We urge them all to consider what they wish their legacy to be."
The plans for a Super League have been widely condemned across the board, with European and world football governing bodies, associations, leagues, players and members of parliament all speaking out.
The 12 founding clubs are believed to have signed a 23-year commitment, while Real Madrid chief and ESL chairman Florentino Perez says all those involved have a binding contract.
Advert
In a remarkable interview on Monday night, Perez claimed the formation of a Super League will "save football" and help smaller clubs.
However, a furious UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin did not hold back with his view and called Manchester United and Juventus' chiefs "snakes" for the way in which they went about this proposal.
He also confirmed that any players plying their trade for clubs in the European Super League will not be able to play in tournaments such as the World Cup and European Championships.
He said: "UEFA and the football world stand united against disgraceful and self-serving proposal we have seen in the last 24 hours for a select few clubs in Europe motivated by greed. We are all united against this nonsense of a project."
An emergency Premier League meeting between the other 14 clubs will take place today.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: European Super League, Football, Premier League, Everton