Will be the Super League? The EU Court of Justice has ruled in its favour, saying FIFA and UEFA are breaking European law. There is also a proposal for a new format

Super League has a new hope. The European Court of Justice’s ruling that FIFA and UEFA violated European law in blocking the creation of a European Super League in 2021 has opened up new debates about the future of European football. The court’s ruling branded the rules of the football organisations as illegal, said to be an abuse of a dominant position.

In the last few hours, the European Court of Justice has delivered a ruling that could change the face of European football. It ruled that FIFA and UEFA violated European law when they blocked the creation of the European Super League and virtually banned teams from various competitions from participating in the Super League under threat of sanctions.

The ruling subsequently caused a stir within the football world, offering hope of a revival of the controversial competition.

The lawsuit was initiated by A22, the company behind the European Super League (ESL). The latter claimed that the football authorities had breached competition law by preventing the proposed league from being formed. The court eventually ruled in favour of the plaintiff and against FIFA and UEFA.

“FIFA and UEFA rules making any new inter-club football project such as the Super League conditional on their approval and prohibiting players from participating in such competitions are unlawful,” said the court report, quoted by The Independent.

The judgment stressed that the power that FIFA and UEFA have as dominant bodies must be subject to criteria that ensure transparency, objectivity, non-discrimination and proportionality. However, these rules are not subordinated to any criteria, which puts FIFA and UEFA in the position of abusing their dominant position.

The reaction of A22, which supports the ESL and the Spanish La Liga, to the ruling was strong. CEO Bernd Reichard said UEFA’s monopoly is over. Football is free,” Eurosport quotes him as saying.

The Super League has another hope, what will be different now?

Initial plans to create a 12-team strong league in April 2021 caused a wave of consternation across the football world. However, it was these plans that met with huge resistance and in the end the authors quickly backed away from them.

The new ESL proposal comes with a format that removes the promise that its founding members will be immune from relegation. The proposed competition could include up to 80 teams in a multi-divisional format and will be based solely on athletic performance with no permanent members.

A22 says the Super League will be an open competition. Qualification would then be achieved by teams through performance at national level and all teams would compete in their home leagues.

UEFA reaction

Football’s governing body, UEFA, has responded to the Court’s ruling by stating that today’s decision does not imply support or validation of the so-called Super League. Rather, it is said to point to a historical flaw in UEFA’s previous authorisation framework, which was already recognised and resolved in June 2022.

“UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, namely that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations,” UEFA said in an official statement.

“UEFA remains committed to maintaining the European football pyramid and ensuring that it continues to serve the wider interests of society. Together with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners, we will continue to shape the European sporting model,” the UEFA statement also said.

Source: The Telegraph, Eurosport, The Independent