Wednesday evening UK news briefing: Brexit to blame for European Super League collapse, claims Juventus chairman

Your evening briefing from The Telegraph
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph
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Boris Johnson forced the collapse of the European Super League because he feared it would undermine Brexit, one of the instigators of the plan has claimed.

Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli admitted defeat on the project, saying the competition "cannot go ahead" now all six Premier League clubs have withdrawn.

It came as Manchester United owner Joel Glazer followed Liverpool's John W Henry by issuing a grovelling apology in an open letter addressed to the club's supporters.

However, Chris Bascombe outlines why Mr Henry cannot apologise his way out of yet another Liverpool blunder.

He faces calls to leave Liverpool, as do the Glazers from Manchester United and Stan Kroenke from Arsenal.

Read this analysis of whether they would sell.

It has also emerged a senior executive of one of the "Big Six" believed on Saturday morning his club was set to agree to Champions League reforms, illustrating the chaos surrounding the European Super League's failed launch.

Tottenham fans have gathered in protest against chairman Daniel Levy and owners Enic before their game against Southampton. Follow tonight's match here.

Fans hold posters reacting to the collapse of the planned European Super League, outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London - Justin Tallis/AFP
Fans hold posters reacting to the collapse of the planned European Super League, outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London - Justin Tallis/AFP

The end of the road for the ill-fated competition came via a series of official club statements. Thom Gibbs dissects what the statements said and what they actually meant.

Sam Wallace reconstructs how the Super League plan blew up in an extraordinary day, leaving football more divided than ever... but still intact.

See how the world reacted to the mass departure of English clubs, with one newspaper simply headlined: "Brexit."

Luke Edwards writes that the fans proved they are the biggest force in football – and no greedy billionaire should ever forget it.

PM makes 'absolutely no apologies' over Dyson texts

Boris Johnson has said he makes "absolutely no apologies" for the series of text messages between him and Sir James Dyson, after it emerged he would "fix it" so that staff would not have to pay extra tax while building ventilators in the UK during the pandemic. The exchanges took place in March last year at the start of the pandemic, when the Government was appealing to firms to supply ventilators amid fears the NHS could run out. Read how Mr Johnson responded to Sir Keir Starmer's opening salvo during a fiery session of Prime Minister’s Questions today.

Queen thanks the public after Prince Philip's death

The Queen has thanked the public for the "support and kindness" shown since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death, saying the flood of messages had served as a reminder of the "extraordinary impact" her husband had on people's lives. Her Majesty released a statement marking her 95th birthday in which she acknowledged that the family was "in a period of great sadness". It came as the Duke of Sussex returned home to California to be reunited with his wife and son. Read on for details.

At a glance: Coronavirus evening briefing

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

'Horrific' experience | Johnny Mercer, the sacked Defence Minister, has accused Boris Johnson of surrounding himself with "cowards" and "desperately weak" advisers who had "betrayed" veterans of the Northern Ireland conflict. In an exclusive interview with Robert Mendick, Mr Mercer has attacked Mr Johnson's administration.

Around the world: What Floyd case means for police

After George Floyd's death, demands to "defund the police" became a rallying cry at demonstrations across the US. For Democrats in Congress, and the White House, the slogan has become politically radioactive. Instead, they are focusing on trying to pass national police reform through the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Nick Allen examines how it could limit police powers in America. Joe Biden has offered to fly Mr Floyd's family to Washington. Meanwhile, find out what is next for Derek Chauvin, the man found guilty of Mr Floyd's murder.

Wednesday big-read

Inside the multi-million dollar orgasm cult endorsed by Hollywood

Founder of orgasm workshop OneTaste, Nicole Daedone - Timothy Archibald
Founder of orgasm workshop OneTaste, Nicole Daedone - Timothy Archibald

In 2011 an American author and businesswoman named Nicole Daedone gave a TEDx talk in San Francisco in which she spoke of her plans to build an empire on the female orgasm. Mick Brown reveals what follow was a story of idealism and desire... and three-hour orgasms.

Read the full story

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. 'Everyone hated Bat Out of Hell' | How Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf made a masterpiece

  2. Nudity and overdoses | I found my gap year journal and my mother was right to be worried

  3. Laughable or laudable? | George W Bush's strange, artistic second act

Business and money briefing

200,000 firms at risk | The spectre of "ghost bankruptcies" is hanging over Europe as research shows more than 200,000 companies across the region's four biggest nations are under threat when Covid lifelines end.

Sport briefing

'Misogyny, racism and bullying' claims | Members of the Jockey Club will ask the organisation for evidence that allegations of inappropriate behaviour were properly investigated, The Telegraph can disclose.

Three things for tonight

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Your first post-lockdown break | With the news that cruises in UK waters will be allowed from May 17, several cruise lines plan to offer domestic sailings. Tamara Hinson lists the places that show why a cruise around Britain should be your first post-lockdown holiday.

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