The European Super League (ESL) project has been given its biggest boost yet to be revived in the near future after UEFA and FIFA were deemed to have acted unlawfully back in 2021.
The European Super League Company began legal proceedings against football’s two main governing bodies two years ago after the 12 clubs involved in the breakaway league were each sanctioned and punished.
The European court of justice have now delivered their verdict on the case, ruling in favour of the breakaway league.
Judges ruled that UEFA had acted unlawfully in blocking the formation of a new competition.
There were big protests against the European Super League in 2021
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An initial ruling from last December said that UEFA and FIFA had been acting within EU law by threatening to sanction clubs and players from joining the breakaway league.
But the ECJ have now ruled against the two governing bodies in a devastating blow to their hopes of stopping the ESL from forming.
The ruling read: “Fifa and Uefa are, therefore, abusing a dominant position.
“Moreover, given their arbitrary nature, their rules on approval, control and sanctions must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services.
“That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved. The Court does not rule on that specific project in its judgment.”
Sports media firm A22 have been backing the formation of the ESL and their their CEO Bernd Reichart reacted to the verdict on social media.
He wrote on X: “We have won the #RightToCompete. The UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures.
“For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches.
The European Super League could be a reality now
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Sports media firm A22 have been backing the formation of the ESL and their their CEO Bernd Reichart reacted to the verdict on social media.
Reichard now believes the ruling opens the door for the ESL to become a reality and has already mapped out the next steps.
He wrote on X: “We have won the #RightToCompete. The UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures.
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Football fans all over Europe were against the breakaway league
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“For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches.
“For clubs: Revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed.”
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