"I spoke to him Saturday afternoon and he said, "Don’t worry, nothing is going on." He said he’d call me again in an hour but turned off the phone."

Hardcore of rebel clubs –  Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid – feared that plans for a breakaway league died in January, but a legal review of competition law encouraged their plot.

Plans only gathered momentum in the second half of last week with a critical mass forming on Thursday and Friday.

Super League claims it will put €10 billion of solidarity payments into European football over 23 years, but Off The Pitch research shows this is up to 50 per cent less than under current system.

UEFA president describes plotters as “liars and snakes” whose actions transcended even villains he dealt with in his previous career as a criminal lawyer.

UEFA and leagues consider severe disciplinary action against clubs and individuals, with possible expulsions from this year’s Champions League.