Three former PMs come out against Super League, as Sir John Major says it is 'an extremely bad idea'

Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Sir John Major all oppose the creation of the European Super League, The Telegraph can reveal.

Spokesmen for each of the three former prime ministers have told this newspaper they are against the controversial proposals.

“Sir John’s view is that it is an extremely bad idea, which he hopes does not come about”, a spokesman for Sir John said.

The intervention from politicians who collectively led the country for 20 years shows the scale of opposition to the plan in Westminster.

Mr Blair’s opposition is especially noteworthy given that he chairs the international council for JP Morgan, the bank whose US arm is funding the Super League.

The leaders also span the political spectrum, with Mr Blair and Mr Brown elected as Labour politicians and Sir John elected as a Conservative. Chelsea dramatically prepared to pull out of the league on Tuesday, becoming the first of six rebel UK clubs to about-turn less than 48 hours after announcing their support.

Other are contemplating leaving also, with Man City leading the list of those who may be pulling out, and there are rumours that Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are also understood to be in favour of withdrawing.

The four other UK clubs - Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham - appeared to be holding firm for now, as were the Italian and Spanish clubs.

Boris Johnson threatened to drop a “legislative bomb” to stop the Super League from coming into fruition during a private meeting with football governing body executives on Wednesday morning.

At a press conference later he did not rule out punishments for clubs involved such as fewer work permits for foreign players, less help with policing on match day and a windfall tax.

Mr Johnson said: “Football was invented and codified in this country. It is one of the great glories of this country's cultural heritage. These clubs, these names, originate from famous towns and cities in our country.

“And I don't think it right that they should be somehow dislocated from their hometowns, home cities, taken and turned into international brands and commodities just circulating the planet propelled by the billions [from] banks without any reference to fans and those who’ve loved them all their lives.”

Sajid Javid, the former Chancellor, called for the Premier League rebel clubs vowing to join the European Super League to be hit with a “Super Tax” that would harm their profits.

He told The Telegraph plans for the new league amounted to “appalling selfishness” and would be “destructive” to football.

Mr Javid’s intervention carries particular weight because he is a part-time adviser to JP Morgan, the bank whose US arm is funding the Super League

Mr Javid told this newspaper: “Given that the club’s owners appear to be motivated solely by profit, the Government should consider introducing a new Super Tax that would come into effect if they actually went ahead.

“That should splash enough red ink on their spreadsheets to quickly put an end to these destructive, anti-competitive proposals.”

Meanwhile the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee announced it will hold a session on the Super League proposals.

Committee chairman Julian Knight said “no one will be off limits” when the MPs look at how to safeguard the sport.

“We are in discussion with key players and will want to hear from major stakeholders as the impact of the new European Super League proposals unfold,” he said.