European Super League: Arsenal fans protest over fiasco - as Spotify boss says he'd like to buy the club

Arsenal fans called for majority owner Stan Kroenke to sell the club after its involvement in the failed breakaway league.

Amar Mehta

News reporter @Amarjournalist_

Saturday 24 April 2021 07:34, UK

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Arsenal fans protest against Kroenke over ESL
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Thousands of Arsenal fans gathered outside the Emirates Stadium in protest over the club's attempt to join the breakaway European Super League.

The supporters also called for owner Stan Kroenke to sell the club, ahead of Friday's Premier League game against Everton.

Fireworks were set off outside the stadium shortly after kick-off and the crowds started to disperse shortly after.

Protests
Image: There was a heavy police presence outside the stadium as fans gathered to protest at the club's involvement in the European Super League

The demonstration followed the Chelsea fans' protest outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday and at Manchester United's Carrington training ground yesterday.

Arsenal were one of the "big six" clubs who planned to join the controversial Super League, which was announced on Sunday.

After uproar from fans, ex-players and pundits, the Premier League clubs pulled out two days later.

Mikel Arteta stated that he was not aware of the plans until they were announced on Sunday, 18 April
Image: Mikel Arteta stated that he was not aware of the plans until they were announced on Sunday
Fans called for majority shareholder Stan Kroenke to sell the club
Image: Fans called for majority shareholder Stan Kroenke to sell the club
Arsenal were one of the 12 clubs who planned on joining the European Super League
Image: Arsenal were one of the 12 clubs who planned on joining the European Super League

Critics included former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman and ex-striker Ian Wright.

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During the protests, Wright tweeted "#Kroenkeout", while Arsenal fan and Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek has suggested buying the club.

Arsenal's board apologised in an open letter to fans following their withdrawal and said they "made a mistake", adding they were pulling out after listening to fans and the football community.

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The board said: "Our aim is always to make the right decisions for this great football club, to protect it for the future and to take us forward."

European Super League: What it means for the clubs and the fans as nine teams withdraw
European Super League: What it means for the clubs and the fans as nine teams withdraw

The European Super League (ESL) is in tatters with nine of the 12 founding clubs confirming they have withdrawn from the competition - so what happened and what does it mean for the clubs?

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta revealed on Thursday that Kroenke and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham apologised to him and the players.

Arteta said he was unaware of the club's plan to join the Super League, adding: "I found out just a little bit before the news was leaked, and then everything was completely out of control and the world reacted in a really unified manner."

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"So not really time to think about it, reflect or evaluate because by the time it was out, a big tsunami came on to it and basically killed it."

American businessman Kroenke was appointed to the board of directors in 2008 and became the majority shareholder in 2011.

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