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Soccer

Letter to Liverpool staff leaked as fans withdraw presence from the Kop




Letter to Liverpool staff leak...
Soccer

Letter to Liverpool staff leaked as fans withdraw presence from the Kop

A letter circulated to Liverpool staff regarding the launch of The Super League has been leaked. 

The outgoing Premier League champions are one of twelve clubs who have committed to the JP Morgan-funded venture.

Liverpool owner John W Henry has been revealed as one of the breakaway league's vice-chairmen.

The announcement of the Reds' involvement has gone down like a lead balloon with fans, with several groups set to remove their flags from The Kop ahead of the Premier League visit of Newcastle to Anfield at the weekend.

But CEO Billy Hogan has moved to galvanise opinion among the club's staff behind the project.

In a letter seen by The Athletic, Hogan claims Super League involvement is the only means to protect the club in a turbulent financial world post-pandemic.

He wrote, "The Super League will be the future of European football and if we want to continue our journey of being a sustainable Club with ambition to grow and continue winning trophies then we should absolutely be part of that process and have a seat at the table rather than outside that group."

Hogan revealed that a corresponding women's Super League will be launched in tandem with the men's competition.

He added, "We know that this announcement has provoked strong feelings within the game and elsewhere but we believe this decision is in the best long-term interests of Liverpool Football Club.

"Importantly, this is the beginning of the journey and we can now start an engagement process with you, supporters and key stakeholders to help shape this process in the right way."

Banners have been placed outside Anfield, criticising owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) for their involvement in the Super League.

Fans group Spion Kop 1906 said earlier in the day, "We, along with other groups involved in flags, will be removing our flags from The Kop.

"We feel we can no longer give our support to a club which puts financial greed above integrity of the game."

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John Henry John W Henry Liverpool Super League The Super League