Manchester City have withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL) and Chelsea are also preparing to do so.

It comes after their manager Pep Guardiola criticised the idea of a Super League at a press conference earlier in the day.

He said: “If you ask me [why] these teams have been selected, I don’t know the reason why.

“It is not a sport where the relation between the effort and the success, the effort and the reward, does not exist. It is not a sport where success is already guaranteed or it is not a sport when it doesn’t matter where you lose.

Shortly after the news of City’s withdrawal broke their star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne tweeted: “This man comes out a little town out of Belgium dreaming of playing at the highest stage possible.

“I’ve represented the Belgium, German and English league. And also proudly represented my country.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin added: “I am delighted to welcome City back to the European football family.

“They have shown great intelligence in listening to the many voices – most notably their fans – that have spelled out the vital benefits that the current system has for the whole of European football; from the world beating Champions League final right down to a young player’s first coaching session at a grassroots club.