The European Court has made a historic decision that can change modern football. The court recognized the actions of FIFA and UEFA as illegal to ban the creation of the 2021 “Super League.”
The court ruled that FIFA and UEFA were abusing their dominant positions. The rules of these organizations regarding the “Super League” are contrary to competition law and the freedom to provide services.
“FIFA and UEFA rule that any new inter-club football project, such as the Super League, must be approved by them in advance, which is against EU law. Banning clubs and players from playing in other competitions is illegal.
At the same time, the court notes that FIFA and UEFA rules regarding the use of media markets harm European clubs, all companies operating in media markets, and ultimately consumers and viewers by preventing them from enjoying new and potentially innovative or exciting competitions,” says the court’s decision.
Notably, in 2021, Madrid’s commercial court also sided with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus when they asked the court to stop disciplinary proceedings over attempts to organize a European Super League.
UEFA, in response, demanded that referee Manuel Ruiz de Lara recuse himself but was refused. Furthermore, UEFA was fined and ordered to pay legal costs. Then, the case reached the European Court.
Let’s emphasize that at the moment, only “Real” and “Barcelona” remain in the “Super League” project. At the time of its creation, 12 clubs were part of the “Super League”: the English “Arsenal,” “Liverpool,” “Manchester City,” “Manchester United.”, “Tottenham,” “Chelsea,” Spanish “Atletico Madrid,” “Barcelona,” “Real,” as well as Italian “Inter,” “Milan” and “Juventus.”
