Yahoo Finance European Super League: Liverpool owner John W Henry apologises for club’s involvement
Liverpool owner John W Henry has apologised to the club’s fans, players and manager Jurgen Klopp for attempting to join the European Super League.
Liverpool, along with the rest of the Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’, signed up for the new midweek competition alongside AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
The clubs involved, however, received a furious backlash over the plans.
Fans voiced their dismay on social media, but also by hanging banners outside grounds and Chelsea supporters protested before Tuesday’s game against Brighton.
Liverpool supporters made their displeasure clear too and now the club’s owner, Henry, has apologised.
In a video message tweeted by the club on Wednesday morning after all six English teams had withdrawn from the Super League, he said: “I want to apologise to all the fans and supporters of Liverpool Football Club for the disruption I caused over the past 48 hours.
“It goes without saying but should be said that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans. No one ever thought differently in England. Over these 48 hours you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you.
“And I want to apologise to Jurgen [Klopp], to Billy, to the players and to everyone who works so hard at LFC to make our fans proud.
“They have absolutely no responsibility for this disruption. They were the most disrupted and unfairly so. This is what hurts most. They love your club and work to make you proud every single day.
“I know the entire LFC team has the expertise, leadership and passion necessary to rebuild trust and help us move forward.
John W Henry's message to Liverpool supporters. pic.twitter.com/pHW3RbOcKu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 21, 2021
“More than a decade ago when we signed up for the challenges associated with football, we dreamed of what you dreamed of.
“And we’ve worked hard to improve your club. Our work isn’t done. And I hope you’ll understand that even when we make mistakes, we’re trying to work in your club’s best interests. In this endeavour I’ve let you down.
“Again, I’m sorry, and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days. It’s something I won’t forget. And shows the power the fans have today and will rightly continue to have.
“If there’s one thing this horrible pandemic has clearly shown, it’s how crucial fans are to our sport and to every sport.
“It’s shown in every empty stadium. It’s been an incredibly tough year for all of us; virtually no-one unaffected.
“It’s important that the Liverpool football family remains intact, vital and committed to what we’ve seen from you globally, with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that.
"Thanks for listening.”
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