UEFA, has stated that verdict from Europe’s highest court, which found both UEFA and FIFA guilty of violating EU law to suppress the emergence of a rival Super League, “does not imply support or approval” for the independent tournament.
The court’s decision, which found both UEFA and FIFA in breach of EU law to hinder the creation of a rival league, was clarified by UEFA as not constituting approval or validation of the independent competition.
UEFA continued: “It rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA’s pre-authorisation framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022.
“UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, and specifically that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.”
The ruling by the European Court of Justice was based on UEFA rules prior to the changing of them in 2022.
“The FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful,” the court ruled.
The summary of the written judgment stressed that its ruling does not necessarily mean that the Super League project should now be authorised, just that FIFA and UEFA have been “abusing a dominant position” in the football market.
However, UEFA emphasized that, in collaboration with fans—who played a pivotal role in opposing the Super League when it initially surfaced in 2021 and other stakeholders, they represent the future of European football club competitions.
“UEFA remains resolute in its commitment to uphold the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the broader interests of society,” they said.
“We will continue to shape the European sports model collectively with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners alike.
“We trust that the solidarity-based European football pyramid that the fans and all stakeholders have declared as their irreplaceable model will be safeguarded against the threat of breakaways by European and national laws.”
The situation dates back to April 2021, when 12 of Europe’s major clubs announced their participation in the proposed Super League just before UEFA was prepared to unveil extensive reforms for the Champions League.
The Super League emerged as a direct rival to UEFA’s premier tournament.
However, it swiftly disintegrated due to vehement opposition from fans, football governing bodies, and threats of disciplinary action from UEFA and FIFA against the involved clubs.
Nearly immediately, nine out of the 12 clubs, including six from the English Premier League, opted out, leading to the collapse of the Super League within 48 hours of its inception.
After two years, only Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona have persisted in the project, while Juventus withdrew in July.
