Big Six fan groups hold 8am Zoom meeting as they continue the fight

Representatives from five of the Big Six's supporters' trusts met on Zoom at 8am on Wednesday morning as they continue their fight against the clubs who rocked the world of football by signing up to a new European Super League.

The reviled competition was officially suspended on Tuesday night as all six English clubs formally withdrew from the ill-fated venture, following a fierce backlash from fans, players, managers and pundits.

But instead of resting on their laurels following the swift victory, supporters representing Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham began planning how their response would evolve and vowed: 'This is not the end'.

Six fan groups, including two representing the Gunners, spoke early this morning to discuss their next steps in improving communication - and in some cases wrestling back control - from the owners who failed to consult fans over the controversial plans to join the closed-shop competition.

Sportsmail understands that each supporters' trust are keen for the government to press ahead with their plans for a fan-led review of English football, despite the plans for the Super League now being in tatters.

Kevin Parker, the general secretary of City's official supporters club, told Sportsmail that the Big Six had been 'taught a lesson' and that the last 48 hours had shown 'the power of fans when they come together'.

He admitted that the Super League proposals - and the lack of consultation with both the fanbase and employees of the clubs involved - had raised concerns that foreign owners 'don't understand' English supporters.

Parker also revealed that Germany's 50+1 rule, which effectively means fans have a majority say in big decisions made by the club, had been mentioned in discussions since the Super League bombshell dropped on Sunday afternoon.

City are not the only club taking further action, however, with United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs all pressing ahead with plans to ensure their voices are heard going forward.

Here, Sportsmail explains how each of the Big Six's main supporter groups plan on continuing their fight for a greater say in the running of their clubs.

MANCHESTER CITY

City fans hung banners and signs outside the Etihad Stadium this week, with some announcing the club's death and others calling for owner Sheikh Mansour to 'sort it out'.

While those sort of small-scale protests may continue, supporters are focused on improving lines of communication with the club, who sent out individual apologies to every supporter on Wednesday evening.

Supporters' chief Parker told Sportsmail that the majority of fans still believe the club have 'great owners', who have not only led City to a period of unprecedented success, but also played a huge part in helping the local community.

Parker has been in regular contact with the club since the Super League news broke and urged them to 'get out first' - which is exactly what City did on Tuesday night.

He says they have asked the club for a full explanation from the club on why they signed up and why they withdrew in order for fans to better understand the situation.

A proper apology was requested - and later received - and City's official supporters club are hopeful of improving lines of consultation to ensure a similar problem can't happen again.

City fans will not push to remove Mansour and the Abu Dhabi ownership from the club and any action taken will be 'unhostile', with requests rather than demands.

Germany's 50+1 model, or adding a fan to the board with a 'golden ticket' to veto decisions has also been discussed, although any changes are far from imminent.

CHELSEA

Chelsea fans appeared to play an instrumental role in the club's decision to pull out of the Super League on Tuesday night after hundreds of them gathered to protest outside Stamford Bridge before the team's 0-0 draw with Brighton.

And although the Blues were not represented during Wednesday morning's Zoom call, that has not stopped supporter groups from planning behind the scenes.

Chelsea supporters' trust released a strongly-worded statement earlier today, requesting a 'full and in depth explanation' about why the club were willing to ditch the Champions League for Florentino Perez's brainchild.

They went on to say that they have 'little or no confidence' in the club's board, demanded that chairman Bruce Buck and CEO Guy Laurence quit their roles and insisted they 'will not rest until change and protections are put in place'.

Chelsea movement 'We are the Shed', who were present at Tuesday night's protest, told Sportsmail that they are 'outraged' at the events of the last 48 hours and admitted that the relationship between the club and its fans is 'frayed'.

We are the Shed also vowed that the supporter uprising of the last two days was 'just the beginning', and that they would work to 'mobilise the Chelsea family and fight the long game to ensure change is made at the top level'.

They said it was too early to say if there would be more protests at Stamford Bridge, but that 'further steps' are being planned to help take back control.

ARSENAL

Arsenal fans had already planned a protest against the Super League outside the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, and it'll still go ahead with the focus on unpopular owner Stan Kroenke.

The American billionaire has been on the end of supporters' anger before, but the plan to effectively remove the Gunners from proper European competition has only served to widen the gulf between them.

Tim Payton from the Arsenal supporters' trust told Sky Sports News on Wednesday: 'It's certainly not all right. First of all I note the apology (from Arsenal), is signed by 'the board'.

'It should have Stan Kroenke's name on it. He's the architect, he should apologise.

'He's the overseas franchise investor who has embarrassed and ashamed our club and English football. Why isn't his name on the apology?

'This is someone who took over Arsenal 10 years ago and made a promise to the takeover panel that he would talk with supporters and supporter groups.

'How many meetings have there been since then? Not one by Stan Kroenke himself.

'It's an unacceptable way to own a football club and we must go on and change.'

Supporters are expected to gather in their hundreds outside the Emirates on Friday as Mikel Arteta's men take on Everton in the Premier League.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Like Arsenal, Manchester United supporters' trust (MUST) have directed their frustration at the club's American owners, the Glazers.

In a lengthy statement released on Wednesday morning, MUST told their members and fans worldwide that the Super League debacle needs to be a 'turning point'.

They urged supporters to 'build on the amazing energy and momentum' of the past few days and revealed that getting involved in the government's review of football would be a 'top priority' in the coming months'

The statement went on to say that the Glazers 'ought to consider if now is their moment to leave the pitch too', with the club having already announced that Ed Woodward will leave at the end of the year.

United's supporters' trust insists that the unpopular US owners have a chance to 'change the current path of their legacy' by allowing supporter shareholding with full voting rights - something they believe is key to a successful future at Old Trafford.

And while they will not be organising any mass protests against the Glazers at present, United's supporters' trust say they 'fully support the right of our fans to express their views in any protest conducted in a lawful and safe way'.

TOTTENHAM

Tottenham Hotspur supporters' trust were represented on Wednesday's morning Zoom call as they weigh up their options going forward.

Spurs played a home game against Southampton earlier this evening, which gave fans an opportunity to vent their anger outside the club's £1billion stadium.

They turned up in their hundreds to protest against Levy and the club's ownership, holding banners much like their Chelsea counterparts 24 hours earlier, albeit in smaller numbers.

In a tweet late on Tuesday night after Tottenham confirmed their withdrawal from the Super League, the supporters' trust wrote: 'Well done to everyone who made their voices heard. You have changed the course of history for THFC.'

They also confirmed that they would be calling an emergency members' meeting to talk about their 'next steps' before the end of the week.

'This is a watershed moment,' said Martin Cloake, co-chair of Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust. 'We've got to ensure nothing like this happens again.

'The next step is for the Government's review on football to deliver the reforms that will ensure the protection of our clubs, and enshrine meaningful fan influence at board level. We had enough talking over the years, now is the time to deliver.

'The current board and owners of THFC went into this folly knowing there was strong opposition from fans. They have pulled out but not apologised and not shown a hint of contrition. And that has made supporters already angry about the reputation of our club being dragged through the mud even more angry.

'We are a membership organisation and so, unlike the club's owners, we will be consulting our members and getting a solid mandate for next steps.'

LIVERPOOL

Perhaps the most aggrieved fanbase among the Big Six were those from the red half of Merseyside, with supporters wasting no time in fighting back.

On Monday, less than 24 hours after the Super League plans came to light, banners were being hung outside Anfield announcing the death of the club, while arrangements to remove others on the Kop in support of the champions were being made.

Fan group SpionKop1906, who are responsible for flag and banner displays on the Kop, have since backtracked on those plans in the wake of the Super League's suspension, announcing that they will keep their banners up as a show of support for the players who spoke out against the breakaway competition.

A meek apology from American owner John W Henry did little to quell the unrest on Wednesday morning and there are bound to be repercussions for FSG, who have made a series of embarrassing u-turns during their time in charge.

In a withering statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the Spirit of Shankly group took aim at Henry's 'crocodile tears' and said: 'It has been a tumultuous, sickening few days for us all.

'Spirit of Shankly have always asked for honesty, integrity and transparency from club owners FSG, but the arrogance and deception they have shown behind this money-grab is frightening. But not surprising.

'We have noted John Henry's apology, but this PR exercise is too little too late. These crocodile tears will not wash. Actions speak louder than 'hollow' words.

'Liverpool Football Club is not an American franchise, it is a community steeped in history and tradition.

'The 'future of football' came crashing down in 48 hours because of the solidarity and outcry of 'legacy' fans across the country. This debacle must be a catalyst for real change, not an exercise in damage limitation.

'Our owners have thrown everyone under the bus, supporters, manager, players and staff, and humiliated themselves through sheer greed and arrogance.

'The hypocrisy of the Premier League and broadcasters has also been noted. They have never considered the fans in their own gold rush and have treated us with thinly disguised contempt over the years.

'We need a fundamental change in football governance, one that is fair for the whole football pyramid, not just the rapacious elite. We need a model that promises equitable distribution of the vast amounts of money involved in the beautiful game, our game.

'During this confusion UEFA have gladly portrayed themselves as the progressive force. Nothing could be further from the truth and their new Champions League format is a disgrace. One that must be resisted immediately.

'We will be consulting with our members to gauge their opinion on our next steps.'