Premier League plans rule to expel teams that join unsanctioned competitions

Premier League clubs Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all declared their intentions to abandon the controversial European Super League announced this past Sunday. Liverpool principal owner John W. Henry and Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer both apologized for their clubs' involvement in the project on Wednesday. 

It appears the English top flight is taking steps to ensure its teams will think twice before joining any future breakaway competition.

Martyn Ziegler of The Times reports that the Premier League is planning on establishing a rule that would immediately expel any club that signed off on joining a new and unsanctioned competition. The idea of the European Super League included no threat of relegation for founding clubs, which goes against the promotion/relegation format of most football pyramids and sparked outrage and protests among passionate supporters. 

It remains unclear if the Premier League or Football Association will look to punish the six English clubs that wished to join the Super League as of Sunday night via points deductions, fines or banishment from domestic competitions. Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta defended his club's involvement in the much-maligned project. 

"It is absolutely necessary," Laporta said of a Super League during a Thursday television appearance, per Sky Sports. "The biggest clubs create the most financial resources and we must have our say in deciding how the earnings are shared.

"We are keeping a prudent stance. It is a necessity, but our club members will have the final word."

Sky also reports that it's "unlikely" the Premier League clubs previously involved with the Super League will face massive fines or points deductions.