ENGLISH football’s "Big Six" clubs could still face Premier League sanctions despite backing out of the breakaway Super League.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber called for “appropriate action” to be taken against the clubs involved this morning, even though by then each had indicated their intention to withdraw.

The PA news agency understands the league’s position has not altered since it issued a statement yesterday afternoon, when all six were still signatories to the Super League.

At the time, it said: “The Premier League is considering all actions available to prevent it from progressing, as well as holding those (clubs) involved to account under its rules.”

Section L9 of the league’s handbook states member clubs shall not enter or play in extra competitions without the prior written approval of the league’s board.

Yesterday’s statement from the league followed an emergency meeting of its other 14 clubs in response to the crisis.

By this morning, the six had pulled out following a huge backlash from supporters, governing bodies and other clubs, as well as their own players and managers.

Their withdrawals were marked in some cases by apologies - and in the case of Manchester United, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced he would leave the club by the end of the year.

On Sunday night, the six Premier League clubs, plus three each from Italy and Spain, announced they had signed up to be ‘founder members’ of the competition, which they along with three additional teams would be involved in without the threat of relegation.

The English clubs’ actions have in some cases fuelled fresh sentiment against their owners and directors, and were described by Football Supporters’ Association vice-chair Tom Greatrex as a “spectacular miscalculation”.

The concessions that they gained in the 2024-25 Champions League format - more matches, extra places for teams based on historic performance - could be revisited by UEFA and its stakeholder partners.