Furious Gary Lineker slams Boris Johnson over European Super League lie

Gary Lineker has blasted Boris Johnson after the prime minister claimed Brexit helped see off the European Super League proposal.

The Premier League's 'big six' clubs signed up to the breakaway competition back in April, joining several other heavyweights in doing so.

The closed-shop competition that didn't feature promotion or relegation was widely condemned by almost all in football and wider society.

Unrelenting fan backlash eventually saw all six clubs withdraw within 48 hours.

Upon the initial announcement, Boris Johnson was quizzed on the Super League and claimed it would be "very damaging" and would "strike at the heart" of the domestic game.

However that only came after Mirror Football understands he had given "the green light" to the breakaway league - highlighting it as a "great idea".

Boris Johnson claimed Brexit played a part in the Super League falling apart ( Image:

Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)

Now at the Conservative Party conference, Johnson has claimed halting the Super League was among the benefits of Brexit.

Lineker was quick to point out that the prime minister was wrong. He said: "I've not tweeted about Brexit for 2 years, but this is so disingenuous it needs calling out.

"Football fans and lovers of the game in this country saw off the European Super League, not politicians nor Brexit."

No. 10 have had to rebuff claims that the breakaway competition was discussed at Downing Street prior to its establishment.

The prime minister's chief of staff Dan Rosenfield told him about the Super League after a meeting a No.10 with Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

The government insider said: "Boris doesn't know much about football so he said it was a great idea. So Dan told the clubs No.10 wouldn't stand in their way. Then it all kicked off..."

Fan backlash was vital in the Super League plans falling apart

Downing Street have long been adamant that that the PM first learned of the plan when it was confirmed by the clubs.

But a second source, close to the football clubs, also claimed the PM appeared to have given Mr Rosenfield the impression he was happy for the scheme to go ahead.

They said: "Ed came back to the clubs to say they had got the green light from No 10. Dan would not have [gone] all the way without checking Boris's view."

Eventually the Super League, spearheaded by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, had to scrapped, although they, Juventus and Barcelona are continuing to push the idea.

United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have all since apologised to their fans for their roles.

Punishments have been handed out, although several of their Premier League rivals feel as though they were let off lightly.