Manchester City confirm plans to withdraw from European Super League

Manchester City have confirmed their plans to withdraw from the European Super League, less than 48 hours after it was announced.

The Premier League leaders were one of 12 teams to agree to a breakaway alternative to the Champions League which would see 15 founding members guaranteed a place in the lucrative competition regardless of their performances the previous season.

However, the plans immediately came under enormous criticism from fans, pundits, managers and players, with the tournament seemingly dying a death less than two days after its creation.

Chelsea are understood to have begun proceedings to withdraw from the agreement themselves, and Man City have now confirmed that they too will pull out following the widespread backlash to the news.

"Manchester City Football Club can confirm that it has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League," read a statement on the club's official website.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola had earlier voiced his opposition to the plans, while Kevin De Bruyne also spoke out against the idea prior to the club's withdrawal.

Man City's withdrawal serves as another hammer blow to the Super League on a day which has also seen Ed Woodward announce his resignation as Manchester United executive vice-chairman due to the backlash.

Liverpool's players have also spoken out against the proposal on social media, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are understood to want to withdraw too.

Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are the other clubs involved in the Super League.