By John Marshall
High ranking officials from Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool held talks this week in London where it was reported they discussed a potential breakaway.
But it is now understood that the main focus of the get together at the Dorchester Hotel was instead to discuss the ‘International Champions Cup’, a summer series of friendlies between some of Europe’s top clubs.
Also on the agenda was the topic of possible changes to the current Champions League format.
But an Arsenal spokesman made it clear they are all “strongly opposed” to a breakaway league in Europe.
The Gunners spokesman said: “We are strongly opposed to any breakaway.
“Not Arsenal, nor any clubs at the meeting, are seeking changes to the Premier League and European landscape and no conversations surrounding displacing the Premier League or starting a European Super League took place.
“Discussions were primarily around the ICC and formats of European competitions that would compliment the existing Premier League.”
City officials were unavailable for comment, although it is believed they, United, Liverpool and Chelsea broadly support the existing structure of European football.
A European Club Association spokesperson said: “There’s a lot of discussion around the future of European competitions at the moment, as always ahead of a new competition cycle.
“Discussions are taking place at different levels, but, for the moment, nothing concrete was brought up at ECA.”
UEFA currently have no plans to restructure their European competitions.
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