The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Thursday that UEFA and FIFA had infringed competition law by opposing the creation of a Super League. A decision which paves the way for the creation of this closed competition and competitor to the Champions League, of which several major European clubs had been at the initiative in 2021.
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Soon competition in the Champions League? The Court of Justice of the EU ruled on Thursday (December 12) that UEFA’s rules relating to the authorization of football competitions, such as the dissident Super League, were contrary to competition law.
“The rules of Fifa and UEFA on the prior authorization of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League, violate Union law,” the court established in Luxembourg said in a press release.
The Court, which rules on the rules of Fifa and UEFA in force in 2021, at the time of the launch of this procedure, considers that the powers of these two organizations “are not governed by any criteria ensuring their transparent nature ( …) and non-discriminatory”.
She specifies, however, that the Super League project, led by several of the richest European clubs, “must not necessarily be authorized”. The CJEU emphasizes that it rules in general and not on this specific project.
Read alsoLife and death of the Super League: 48 hours that almost changed European football
“Free football” and “a selfish and elitist model”
“UEFA’s monopoly is over. Football is free,” Bernd Reichart, boss of A22, the company promoting the Super League, reacted on the X network.
“We have won the right to exist. UEFA’s monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanctions AND free to determine their own future,” said our CEO Bernd Reichart about the CJEU decision. 1/4
— A22 Sports (@A22Sports) December 21, 2023
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, who have not given up on this project for two years, welcomed the European decision. “European club football will never again be a monopoly,” Madrid President Florentino Perez said on Thursday. Barça, for its part, believes that European justice “opens the way to a new competition” in Europe.
Several times also speak out to recall their opposition to this project, like La Liga – the Spanish football league. “Today more than ever, we reiterate that the ‘Super League’ is a selfish and elitist model. Anything that is not totally open, with direct access only through the national championships, season by season, is a closed format”, reacted the organization on X.
Along the same lines, the Football Supporters Europe association considered that there was “no place in European football for a separatist Super League”. “Whatever happens” after this ruling, the plan for an elite private competition “endangers the future of European football”, believes the organization in a press release, promising that its members “will continue to fight ” to prevent it.
A Super League project that lasted less than 48 hours in 2021
The threat of a partial secession of the most powerful clubs, who dream of the very lucrative model of North American closed leagues while wanting to remain in the national championships, has hovered over European football for more than twenty years.
In April 2021, twelve major clubs announced their own private competition, with enormous commercial potential, with an offensive launched at midnight just before a vast reform of the Champions League, which was in direct competition. Attacked by surprise, UEFA and Fifa had threatened sanctions.
Read alsoSuper League Project: Florentino Perez and Andrea Agnelli, the “mastermind” and the “traitor”
The disastrous communication from the mutineers and then the strong opposition from supporters, particularly in England, had prompted several countries to consider legislative measures, pushing nine of the rebel clubs to throw in the towel. The dissident adventure collapsed in less than 48 hours.
With AFP