Manchester United's chairman is resigning as the controversial European Super League crumbles, The Athletic reports

Manchester United's executive vice chairman Ed Woodward is stepped down, as backlash against the European Super League of elite soccer clubs grows, according to The Athletic.

Woodward will leave the organization at the end of 2021, The Athetlic's Adam Crafton reported.

The move comes as United was harshly criticized for backing the Super League, an exclusive competition of European soccer's biggest teams. The Super League would have solidified spots for its founding members, protecting them from dropping out of the competition if they were to underperform.

The new tournament was immediately criticized worldwide, with detractors saying the league would concentrate power, influence and money among the richest clubs and eliminate competition.

Four teams - Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid - have already dropped out of the competition, according to multiple reports.