Super League against UEFA and FIFA

Court for Justice of the European Union (CJEU) he considered this Thursday that the rules FIFA and the EUThe FA on the pre-approval of club football competitions, such as The Super League violates the Law on Trade Unionsn.

The highest administrative body of the EU has indicated that it is UEFA and FIFA They abused their “dominant position” by their actions against the creation of controversy. Super League of football by threatening sanctions against a dozen clubs involved in the project.

The decision of the Grand Chamber, which answers the preliminary questions raised by the Commercial Court no. 17 in Madrid and which cannot be appealed, contradicts the opinion of the Attorney General assigned to the case, who, when announcing his non-binding conclusions a year ago, claimed that UEFA and FIFThey acted in accordance with the law.

Court of Luxembourg, iInstead, he found that it was UEFA and FIFA They abused their “dominant position”.

“Standards of the International Federation Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) that every project for a new club football competition, such as the Super League, is subject to prior approval, and that prohibits clubs and players from participating in it under the threat of sanctions, are illegal,” the verdict reads.

This is due, the community court adds, to the fact that “authorities FIFA and UEFA they are not subject to any criteria that guarantee their transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate nature.

The verdict adds that “the norms they attribute FIFA and UEFA Exclusive control over the commercial exploitation of rights arising from these contests may restrict competition.

“However, a competition such as the Super League project would not necessarily have to be approved. After general questions were asked about the rules FIFA and UEFA, “In its judgment, the Court of Justice does not decide on this specific project,” the court states.

With its decision, the CJEU answers the questions of the aforementioned Madrid court, from which the companies formally representing the company requested protection in April 2021. Super League – European Super League Company (ESLC) and promoted by the company A22 Sports Management – in the face of threats of U.S. sanctionsEFA and FIFA.

These fines would affect the twelve clubs – and their players – who participated in the project, and who then supported the project in Spain (Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid), England (Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal) and Italy (Juventus, Inter and AC Milán).

However, given that the announcement of the creation of the Superliga was severely criticized not only UEFA and FIFA, but also by national associations and leagues, various governments and the European Commission, ten of those clubs have abandoned the project so that, at least until the verdict this Thursday, only Real Madrid and FC Barcelona continue to defend the creation Super League.