12 European soccer clubs spark controversy and threats by announcing new breakaway Super League

A group of 12 elite English, Spanish and Italian clubs have dramatically split European soccer by announcing the formation of a largely-closed Super League. The clubs are leaving the existing UEFA-run Champions League structure, despite warnings they could be kicked out of their domestic competitions and face legal action.

The seismic move to shake up the world's biggest sport is partly engineered by the American owners of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, who also run U.S. franchises in closed leagues.  The move came after the rebel clubs reneged on a promise on Friday to back the plan by UEFA — European football's governing body — to expand the Champions League beginning in 2024. The deal was designed to appease the clubs' wish for more games, seemingly because they couldn't control the sale of rights to the existing competition.