Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed that all 12 teams have signed legally binding contracts to take part in the European Super League.

With Liverpool and other Premier League clubs having been put under severe pressure to reverse their decision to play in the competition, Perez claimed there is now no turning back:

“The contract of the Super League is binding. Nobody can leave, we will work all together. All the clubs signed the contracts last Saturday. There’s no problem.”

Liverpool’s owner Fenway Sports Group have really backed themselves into a corner, and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to get out unscathed.

Signing a commitment to take part in the Super League, combined with the guaranteed £440m they will make from participating in the tournament’s first season, means they will likely stick to their guns.

However, the fierce criticism from fans, players, managers, pundits and the media will make it very hard for them to stay the course. The fact that nobody from the ownership group has spoken out about the plans, unlike Perez, shows you they fear the backlash that is coming their way.