• We've been kicked in teeth, say Premier League leaders
• North-east overlooked for new eight-team competition
The Premier League leaders, Sunderland, have been given a "kick in the teeth", said their chairman, Maurice Alderson, after learning that his club's hopes of becoming a founder member of the Football Association's Super League have been dashed.
"With the help of Sunderland FC," said Alderson, "we put in a very strong bid and not for one moment did I think we wouldn't get in. We're top of the league, we reached last season's FA Cup final and we've got nine current internationals at various age levels. To have all that on top of a bid backed by a Premiership club and get turned down is devastating. We've been kicked in the teeth."
Sunderland's neighbours Newcastle United, who play in the Northern Division, have also been informed that they will not be one of the Super League's eight clubs, the identities of which will shortly be revealed by the FA.
The north-east will therefore not be represented in the league, which is set to start next year. "At a meeting about the league two and a half years ago," said Alderson, "the FA showed a big map of England but the northern-most city they highlighted was Leeds. When I pointed it out I was told it was 'just an oversight', but I'm wondering now if we were ever intended to be included."
The FA declined to respond to Alderson's comments. "We are still at the adjudication stage of the application process and at this time we will not comment on any individual club's application," a spokesman said.
Sunderland were not in action yesterday, having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal, who progressed to the semi-finals with a 5-0 win against Doncaster. Everton also reached the last four, beating Blackburn 2-1. The other quarter-finals will be played next Sunday.