Juventus chief and founder of the breakaway European Super League, Andrea Agnelli, has confirmed the abrupt death of the league.

This comes after six English clubs announced their withdrawal from the controversial league on Tuesday after receiving backlashes from fans, other clubs and other stakeholders.

The official announcement of the ESL on Sunday caused outrage and although Agnelli has now admitted defeat with regard to the Super League,  Sky Sports reports that the Juve chief maintained that the proposals represented the change he thinks is needed in European football.

Agnelli said: “To be frank and honest no, evidently that is not the case. I remain convinced of the beauty of that project,” said Agnelli. “But admittedly, I don’t think that the project is now still up and running.”

WuzupNigeria had reported that at least 12 teams including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham from the Premier League, signed up for the league.

The remaining six founding clubs are three clubs from La Liga – namely Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and three from Serie A, including Agnelli’s Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.

However, the move came at a cost for Premier League defending champions, Liverpool who lost their major sponsor – luxury watchmakers TRIBUS.

A TRIBUS statement read: “As official global timing partners of Liverpool FC, and a family of dedicated and lifelong fans based in the city of Liverpool, TRIBUS (Watchmakers) Ltd cannot support the move by the clubs’ owners to break away into a new competition, The Super League.

“Our values are at the forefront of everything we do, therefore we will be withdrawing from this partnership.

“Football belongs to the fans and unites us all; it was never intended to benefit the few.”

In the wake of the controversy, Manchester United’s Chief Executive, Ed Woodward also announced he is stepping down from his role at the club after 16 years.

Woodward said: “I am extremely proud to have served United and it has been an honour to work for the world’s greatest football club for the past 16 years.

“I would like to thank United’s passionate fans for their support during the good and bad times. I know this has been a challenging period in our history, but your support for the team has never, ever been in doubt.”