In a recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision regarding the Super League case, a verdict was reached that FIFA and UEFA cannot generally exert control over other competitions or prohibit clubs and players from participating. Despite this, opposition from UEFA, major European leagues, various clubs, and fan groups remains steadfast.
Back in 2021, plans by 12 top European clubs to break away from domestic leagues and form a European Super League faced significant backlash and ultimately fell apart. However, Real Madrid and Barcelona persisted, accusing UEFA and FIFA of cartel-like behavior for opposing the league’s formation and intending to penalize clubs participating in other competitions.
The ECJ ruling clarified that while a product competing with the UEFA Champions League could, in principle, be possible under EU law, it doesn’t guarantee approval for the Super League. UEFA emphasized that the ruling doesn’t endorse the Super League but highlights a pre-existing shortfall in its pre-authorization framework.
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UEFA remains resolute in its commitment to uphold the European football pyramid, ensuring it serves broader societal interests. Germany’s Bundesliga supported the European sports model, emphasizing the importance of national leagues as the backbone for professional football in Europe.
La Liga labeled the Super League as a selfish and elitist model, emphasizing the need for a completely open format with direct access through domestic leagues annually. The German Football Association (DFB) vowed to oppose the Super League, stating that a commercial-oriented league would undermine the existing structures of organized sport.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO of FC Bayern Munich, reiterated the club’s commitment to European club competitions under UEFA and emphasized the importance of national leagues. The European fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) voiced its opposition to the Super League, emphasizing that it poses a threat to the future of European football.
-IANS
