Chelsea and Manchester City are wavering about joining the European Super League, according to a well-placed executive at another club approached to join the breakaway league.
The Guardian also understands there were discussions in the wings of the Uefa congress in Montreux on Tuesday about whether the two clubs might do a U-turn after the negative public backlash and growing pressure from governments and leagues since the announcement.
Those opposed to the breakaway believe that fewer than half the 12 clubs are considered "fanatics", who will back the Super League no matter what. The others have joined because they believe they will be financially better off – either if it goes ahead or by wrangling concessions from Uefa – or they reluctantly entered because they feared missing out. Chelsea and Manchester City are believed to be in the latter camp.
However another well-placed source, from an organisation opposed to the Super League, was more circumspect saying that while he hoped some clubs would reconsider he had no direct evidence they would.