Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City are set to pull out of the European Super League, Sky News understands.
Chelsea is preparing documents to formally withdraw, and owner Roman Abramovich is understood to have driven the decision, having listened to fan protests and opted to back out.
City has told organizers that they do not wish to be a part of the planned new league.
It will leave just four English clubs – Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham – in the breakaway competition, which has sparked a huge backlash since plans were announced on Sunday.
It comes after fans gathered outside Stamford Bridge to protest on Tuesday, with police forced to close roads and make a number of arrests.
Supporters clutched placards that read “RIP football” and “No to Super League” ahead of tonight’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The six other teams who have signed up to the new competition are Spain’s Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid, along with Italy’s AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus.
The Premier League said that it is “considering all actions to prevent the plans from progressing”, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned that clubs would have to “live with the consequences” of their decisions.
