Rulebook Revelation Could Force Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Man City to leave the Premier League #superleague

An existing rule means Manchester City and Manchester United will have to quit the Premier League if they enter the controversial European Super League (ESL).

The future of football, both domestically and across the continent, has been thrown into doubt on the back of the much-maligned proposals for a 20-team breakaway – which were confirmed last night.

City and United are two of the initial 12 signatories who have signed up to the ESL, which is set to be bankrolled by US banking giant JP Morgan.

As the brainchild of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and American owners at three Premier League clubs – including United – the revolutionary midweek competition would come as a direct threat to the Champions League, rather than the domestic system.

However, such has been the widespread backlash against the proposals, the Premier League are among the game’s existing governing bodies to have already threatened action against the reform.

Indeed, any clubs and players involved have been told they could be banned from other competitions