A Spanish court has lifted measures that prevented UEFA and FIFA from imposing sanctions against clubs wishing to establish the European Super League.
The Commercial Court of Madrid said - in its ruling published today, Thursday - that it had lifted measures adopted in April last year that prevent taking "any measure that prohibits, restricts, limits or places conditions in any way" for the establishment of the Super League.
The court's decision - today, Thursday - opens the door to penalties for clubs sticking to the Super League, and Judge Sophia Gill said that her court had no "jurisdiction" to ban potential penalties.
"It is up to these disciplinary bodies and the independent arbitrators (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) to decide on possible sanctions against the clubs," she added.
Among the 12 clubs that have supported the breakaway Super League, the project has so far been adhered to by Real Madrid and Barcelona from Spain, along with Italy's Juventus.
The Spanish newspaper "AS" reported that the Super League will appeal the decision.
A UEFA spokesperson said: "Today we have received the ruling of the Madrid Court that all preventive measures have been lifted. UEFA welcomes the decision and is studying its consequences, and will not comment further at this time."
The proposed project threatened the survival of the prestigious competition for the elite clubs on the continent, the European Champions League, by ensuring fixed places for clubs in the newly created tournament instead of qualifying through local competitions.