Super League, sensational verdict from the EU Court of Justice: "UEFA's monopoly violates the rules". The sentence

Brussels, 21 December 2023 - Favorable opinion from EU Court of Justice on Superalloy. “The rules of Fifa and UEFA on the prior authorization of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League, violate Union law”, stated the Court, ruling on the appeal brought by the Super League against the alleged illegal monopoly of Fifa and UEFA on the organization of international competitions.

The Luxembourg judges specify that "it does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved", not ruling on the specific initiative. The Court highlights how the FIFA and UEFA rules on the prior approval of competitions club football are "contrary to competition law and the freedom to provide services". The powers of the two federations, it is explained, are not subject to a "transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate" regulatory framework.

Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president (Alive photo)

The sentence

The current situation

From the original group of 12 clubs that launched the Super League in April 2021 only Real Madrid and Barcelona remained on the field, associated in a European Super League (Eslc). Supported by the marketing agency A22, it brought the case to the Mercantile court of the Spanish capital, which in turn referred the matter to the EU Court of Justice.

A22 rejoices and announces a new project

“We won the right to compete. The UEFA monopoly is over. Football is free. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanctions and free to determine their own future,” he said Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 (the company that aims to develop the new Super League style project), commenting on the decision. “For fans: We offer free viewing of all Super League matches - we read in a tweet -. For clubs: Revenue and solidarity expenses will be guaranteed."

After the ruling, A22 Sports Management announced the new Super League project: it is a tournament of 64 teams, divided into three leagues, with a promotion and relegation mechanism between divisions. In the first year of the competition, clubs will be selected based on an index with transparent, performance-based criteria. A streaming platform is also planned for free viewing of all matches.

UEFA's response

"UEFA takes note of the sentence pronounced today by the Court of Justice of the European Court in the case of the European Super League – says the Union of Football Federations –. This sentence does not imply the approval or validation of the so-called 'super league', but rather it underlines a historic shortcoming in the UEFA pre-authorization framework, a technical aspect that has already been recognized and addressed in June 2022."

"UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, and specifically that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations," UEFA said in a statement.

And again: "UEFA remains resolute in its commitment to support the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the broader interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sporting model collectively with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, European institutions, governments and partners."

Perez: great day

“Today is a great day for the history of football and sport”: like this Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, commented on the decision. “European club football is not and will never be a monopoly again,” Pérez added in a video released by the club. “We have the duty and responsibility to give European football its new impulse which is so much needed: we will continue to support a modern project - he adds -, fully compatible with national competitions, open to all, based on sporting merit and which will effectively enforce compliance with financial Fair Play".

Barcelona: road to new competition

"Barcelona would like to express its satisfaction with the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union which assessed the Super League project proposed by A22 Sports," it said in a statement. "Being one of the clubs promoting the Super League project - continues the note - Barcelona believes that the ruling paves the way for a new top-level football competition in Europe, opposing the monopoly of the world of football, and wishes to initiate new discussions on the path that Europe's competitions should take in the future."