Chelsea's players have been left floored by the club signing up for the Super League breakaway.

Blues chairman Bruce Buck called a meeting of the players in an attempt to explain why they were signing up to the European Super League.

But The Sun says the news did not go down well with the squad.

Individuals are concerned about the damage it threatens to do to the game.

Those fears only grew when it became clear Uefa were threatening to throw them out of the Champions League.

Chelsea face Real Madrid in the semi-finals, with the first leg in Spain next Tuesday.

To make matters worse, players potentially face being banned from international football in the future.

Stars were left 'gutted' by the announcement, which came as they were putting the finishing touches on their preparations for tonight's clash with Brighton - before which a planned protest of Chelsea supporters is expected outside Stamford Bridge.

The Blues know victory will see them climb back into the top four above West Ham who they face on Saturday.