JONATHAN Woodgate launched into a passionate speech against plans to form a European Super League.

Twelve clubs across the continent, including six from England, having signed up as founder members for a new breakaway tournament, designed to replace the Champions League.

Those clubs would be guaranteed qualification into the event every season, regardless of their domestic league position with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all signing up.

Asked for his take on the proposals, Cherries boss Woodgate said: "I don’t like it at all to be honest. It goes against everything that football stands for. It creates a closed shop. Greed for the big clubs.

"If you look at Bournemouth going from League Two and then spending five years in the Premier League.

"What else annoys me is why aren’t owners explaining this? Why is it the managers and the players who are explaining it all and giving their view? Why doesn’t an owner just come out and say this is why we’re doing it?

"It leaves a bitter taste in football and at the end of the day it’s all about money, that’s all it is. It says about the ‘top six’ clubs from this country. Are they the top six clubs? I don’t think they are.

"Money is the root of all evil and it’s showing that now."

Two of Woodgate's former clubs in Spurs and Real Madrid are part of the 12-team breakaway group.

And the 41-year-old, who played in the Champions League for those two clubs as well as Leeds United and Newcastle United, continued to voice his anger.

"It just goes against everything football stands for," said Woodgate.

"Promotion, relegation, creates a closed shop and it prevents small clubs reaching the top, like we did at Bournemouth. Little old Bournemouth in League Two and spending five years in the Premier League. It’s greed from the big clubs.

"It’s managers and players who have to do these interviews about the whole situation. Why aren’t owners coming forward and stepping up and giving their side of the story? Because at the minute it doesn’t match up. I’m a huge fan of football and football across the world.

"If that (Super League) happened it would be crucifying to the pyramid system, all across Europe.

"I just can’t believe it came out so quickly to be honest the other night. It was like a big snowball effect.

"Leicester (winning the Premier League) are the perfect example. West Ham – what’s going to happen next year if they finish in the Champions League (positions) after an incredible season under David Moyes? What’s going to happen then?

"Why are they going to get rid of the Champions League? It’s an unbelievable tournament, an incredible tournament. I’ve played in the Champions League for four different clubs and I can’t understand how that tournament is just going to go and it’s just going to go with this Super League thing, which is an absolute nonsense.

"It’s a travesty to the game, an absolute travesty, all by money.

"Money is the root of all evil. It’s an absolute joke what’s happening at the minute, but hopefully we can stop it. We’re going to have to stop it somehow, because it’s an absolute scandal."