The Court of Justice of the European Union found that UEFA had violated the rules and must not prevent the formation of the European Super League, and Real Madrid and Barcelona won
On Thursday, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a ruling in Luxembourg in the C-333/21 case, ruling in favour of FIFA and UEFA against the abuse of power in opposition to the European Super League.
On April 19, 2021, 12 clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus announced the establishment of the European Super League, but they were immediately "encircled" by UEFA, the English Football Association, the Spanish Football Federation, and the Italian Football Federation.
On April 20, six Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea announced their withdrawal, and Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Milan also withdrew. Just 48 hours later, the European Super League has "existed in name only". Not only that, UEFA announced on May 12 that it would penalize nine clubs that withdrew, including a 5% reduction in European revenue.
However, Real Madrid president Florentino did not rest on his laurels, and the European Super League began to file a lawsuit against UEFA and FIFA. On May 26, 2021, A22 filed a lawsuit in the Madrid District Court, accusing UEFA and FIFA of violating fair competition rules.
On July 1, the Madrid District Court issued a ruling warning UEFA not to exclude clubs from the UEFA Super League and declared UEFA's penalties against nine clubs null and void.
In 2022, EU Attorney General Lantos said that European clubs are free to create their own football competitions outside of the UEFA and FIFA systems, but these clubs cannot continue to participate in competitions organized by FIFA and UEFA without the authorization of their respective football associations. Lantos' opinion is non-binding, but is usually used as a reference by the court in its final decision, so his statement has been welcomed by UEFA and the national football associations.
On January 31, 2023, the Madrid District Court ruled in favor of the UEFA Super League's claim and rejected UEFA and FIFA's penalties for the UEFA Super League, which means that UEFA and FIFA cannot impose penalties on the UEFA Super League. In its ruling, the Madrid court noted that the "closed and outdated" measures adopted by UEFA and FIFA are "incompatible with the principles of free competition and freedom of enterprise".
On October 24, A22, the European Super League promotion company called on the Court of Justice of the European Union to end the UEFA monopoly in a statement, "Club football is on the eve of major change, and we hope that the Court of Justice of the European Union will end the UEFA monopoly and implement the EU's liberal principles in the football world." Fans, clubs, players and football are the winners in the open market. In this market, clubs can manage and organise a European football tournament without threat. ”
Reihart, CEO of A22, said: "We want to end UEFA's monopoly, which is a private association of regulators, judges, jurors and enforcers, which leads to conflicts of interest and abuse of power. ”
On December 21, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a final ruling that UEFA and FIFA had abused their dominance and could not exercise monopoly on football, and that the establishment of club-managed competitions was legal. UEFA and FIFA's requirement for prior approval for competitions between clubs is contrary to EU law and cannot sanction the clubs concerned.
Since the CJEU is final, UEFA and A22 can no longer appeal. The Court of Justice of the European Union sends the decision to the Spanish courts, which then make a formal decision.