The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on Thursday December 21 that UEFA’s rules relating to the authorization of football competitions, such as the Super League, a dissident of the Champions League, were contrary to the competition law. “Fifa and UEFA rules on prior authorization of club football competitions, such as the Super League, violate EU law”indicated in a press release the court established in Luxembourg.
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 clubs, “does not necessarily have to be authorized”. The CJEU emphasizes that it rules in general and not on this specific project.
“The monopoly is over”
“UEFA’s monopoly is over. Football is free »reacted on the X network Bernd Reichart, boss of A22, the company promoting the Super League.
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, 12 major clubs announced their own private competition, with enormous commercial potential, with an offensive launched at midnight just before a vast reform of the directly competing Champions League. Attacked by surprise, UEFA and Fifa had threatened sanctions.
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 had collapsed in less than forty-eight hours. Two years later, only the Spanish clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have not disarmed.
As soon as the CJEU’s decision was made, the Spanish Football League reiterated its opposition to the Super League project: “Today more than ever, we reiterate that the “Super League” is a selfish and elitist model. Anything that is not fully open, with direct access only through national championships, season by season, is a closed format. »
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