The European Super League, the breakaway competition infamously announced by the continent's biggest teams back in April 2021, has won a crucial court case over a UEFA and FIFA rule.
This victory came on Thursday after the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the continent's top court, ruled it unlawful for UEFA and FIFA to require prior approval for new football competitions while wielding the power to ban players from partaking in these tournaments.
A22 Sports, the organizers of the European Super League, argued that this rule — and the potential punishment clubs could face as a result of it — was an illegal monopoly. The court ruled in their favor, arguing that organizing football competitions "must comply with the competition rules and respect the freedom of movement" as it is an economic activity.
It should be stressed that this is not a ruling on the European Super League per se. Instead, as pointed out by the court, this verdict simply concerns the UEFA and FIFA regulations, not any particular project.
Furthermore, as pointed out in a subsequent statement by European football's organizing body, this verdict does not validate the European Super League but merely addresses a UEFA regulation that was already addressed in 2022.
"UEFA takes note of the judgment delivered today by the ECJ in the European Super League case," the statement reads.
"This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called 'super league'; it rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA's pre-authorization framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged 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 remains resolute in its commitment to uphold the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the broader interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sports model collectively with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments, and partners alike."
Regardless, this is an undeniable boost for the breakaway competition in its fight to get off the ground. A22 Sports CEO Bernd Reichart celebrated this verdict, saying:
"We've won the right to compete. UEFA's monopoly is over. Football is free. Now the clubs won't suffer threats and punishments. They're free to decide their own future."
Likewise, Florentino Perez and Joan Laporta, the presidents of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, the two remaining driving forces behind this competition, also welcomed the ruling.
It will be interesting to see how things unfold from here on. The six Premier League founding members — Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham — all pulled out of the competition following immediate fan backlash and it is hard to see the Super League reaching its potential without the English giants.
Additionally, many believe the latest Premier League domestic television rights deal and the Premier League's Owners' Charter will prohibit English clubs from joining this breakaway competition. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid also pulled out of the project but the two aforementioned Spanish heavyweights and Juventus remain committed.
