Super League receives a major boost, success day approaching?

Spanish football court officially orders FIFA and UEFA to stop opposing the Super League project initiated by Real Madrid.

The Commercial Court No. 17 in Madrid upheld part of the lawsuit filed by the Super League (ESL) against UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and FIFA (International Federation of Association Football). The court declared that both organizations abused their dominant positions and hindered free competition in the market by imposing rules that prohibit clubs from participating in other competitive leagues.

Judge Sofia Gil Garcia ruled that UEFA and FIFA violated European Union laws by banning clubs from participating in the newly proposed professional football championship (Super League). The ruling also stated that these two organizations imposed unreasonable and inappropriate restrictions that were inconsistent with the previous judgment of the Higher Court of Justice of Madrid.

In the judgment, Judge Gil Garcia also ordered FIFA and UEFA to immediately reverse any anti-competitive actions taken in the past.

This lawsuit was brought by A22 Sports Management, the sports development company behind the ESL plan, against the Spanish Football Federation (LaLiga), UEFA, and FIFA, which had prevented the establishment of the ESL.

Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports Management—the company behind the European Super League (ESL) plan—expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling. He stated in a press release: “The era of monopoly is now definitively over,” and called this “an important step towards a truly competitive and sustainable club football landscape in Europe.”

Reichart also criticized UEFA for stifling innovation for decades. He emphasized that clubs “should not fear threats of sanctions” regarding new leagues.

Judge Gil Garcia’s ruling aligns with a similar decision by the European Court of Justice in December 2023. However, both La Liga (the Spanish league) and UEFA maintain that this ruling does not support the formation of the European Super League.

UEFA stated in a declaration: “The ruling does not grant third parties the right to develop competitions without approval and does not pertain to any future projects or indeed any revised versions of the existing project.”

In 2021, twelve of Europe’s top football clubs proposed creating a breakaway league known as the Super League. However, this proposal faced strong backlash from fans and threats of sanctions from UEFA. Eventually, nine out of the twelve clubs had to withdraw from the plan.

A22 Sports Management, the company behind the ESL, argued that UEFA and FIFA hold monopoly positions, violating EU competition laws and the right to free movement. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled against UEFA and FIFA, although they did not specifically comment on whether the ESL could proceed.

The Super League plan was initially announced in April 2021 by twelve of Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid.

However, within 48 hours, the plan collapsed due to intense backlash from fans, forcing nine clubs—Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid—to withdraw from the proposal.

To date, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus continue to support and push for the establishment of the European Super League, leading to ongoing legal battles with UEFA and FIFA.