'They wanted to damage it' - Alleged motivation for failed Super League revealed as ex-Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge points the finger at Real Madrid & Barcelona

With the failed breakaway back in the news as clubs eagerly await a verdict from the European Court of Justice this week, the former Bayern Munich CEO has waved off any concerns about a potential revival of a plan which spectacularly fell apart within days of its announcement in April 2021.

Rummenigge was adamant that the concept had no future, telling La Gazzetta Dello Sport: "It's not going to go anywhere. English, German and French teams will never take part. Then Real Madrid and Barcelona can play the tournament by themselves"

"Serie A would become Serie B and the Bundesliga the second division. And do you know why all this? To damage the Premier League which earns more simply because it is better. Especially the Spanish clubs - they wanted to damage it [the Premier League] so they invented this tournament."

The launch of the Super League caused a wave of protests from fans, clubs plus sporting and government institutions when it was given its rather bizarre launch on a Sunday night in April 2021.

The public backlash caused the six Premier League teams to immediately announce their resignations from the project with Atletico Madrid and both Milan clubs following suit. With the concept seemingly dead, it has been left to Barcelona and Real Madrid to keep the possibility of a breakaway European competition going against all the odds.

Thursday could prove to be a landmark day, not only for the faint hopes of the Super League but for the future of football in general as the European Court of Justice is due to rule on whether UEFA and FIFA's governance over all competitions contravenes EU anti-monopoly laws.