Europe's top clubs announced the establishment of the UEFA Super League in April 2021 (social media)

In its ruling on Thursday, the European Court of Justice confirmed that FIFA's and UEFA's rules for pre-approval of tournaments such as the UEFA Super League contravene UEFA regulations.

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice was invoked to determine whether FIFA and UEFA acted against competition law by banning the 2021 UEFA Super League and then seeking to punish the clubs involved founding the tournament.

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice ruled that FIFA and UEFA regulations on the need to obtain prior approval for tournaments such as the UEFA Super League contravened UEFA laws.

UEFA takes note of the judgment delivered today by the ECJ in the European Super League case.

Full statement: ⬇️

— UEFA (@UEFA) December 21, 2023

"FIFA and UEFA regulations, which make any new project for football between clubs subject to their prior approval, such as the UEFA Super League, and prohibit clubs and players from playing in those competitions, are illegal," the European Court of Justice stated in the operative part of the ruling.

"There is no framework for FIFA and UEFA rules that ensures that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate."

The European Court of Justice confirmed that the operative part of the ruling does not mean that the European Super League will be formed away from UEFA.

The referee may have wider implications than just opening the door to a European Super League.

UEFA said it would continue to fight after the European Court of Justice ruled on the European Court of Justice.

"This ruling does not imply endorsing or endorsing the so-called Super League tournament and, rather, highlights the pre-existing lack of UEFA pre-authorization, a technical aspect that was recognized and addressed in June 2022," UEFA said in a statement.

FC Barcelona statement on CJEU sentence concerning the Super League https://t.co/uOKbjAI8Sl

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 21, 2023

But some legal commentators say the ruling by the European Court of Justice still holds despite changes made by UEFA.

"UEFA trusts in the strength of its new rules, especially as it complies with all relevant European laws and regulations," the UEFA statement said.

La Liga reiterated its opposition to the Super League, despite a ruling by the European Court of Justice. The league wrote on social network X (formerly Twitter) that "more than ever, we remind you that the UEFA Super League is a selfish and elitist project."

Real Madrid and Barcelona welcomed the decision by the European Court of Justice.

Declaración institucional del presidente Florentino Pérez.#RealMadrid

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 21, 2023

A statement on Real Madrid's official website said: "We welcome with great satisfaction the decision taken by the European Court of Justice, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values and freedoms."

In turn, Barcelona said in a statement published today on its website: "This ruling paves the way for the creation of a new competition for elite teams in Europe, by opposing the monopoly of the world of football."

Barcelona said they wanted to start new discussions to determine the course European competitions should take in the future.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Milan, Inter, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid announced the establishment of the European Super League in April 2021 with permanent membership in order to compete in it, to replace the Champions League organized by UEFA, and UEFA moved by updating the Champions League events, by holding the tournament from a huge league with 36 teams.

But fierce opposition from fans, leagues and football associations led to the withdrawal of nine clubs before Juventus later followed.

Real and Barca have initiated legal proceedings to protect their position, with the Court of Justice demanding that points of EU law be decided by the Madrid court.

The Spanish clubs accused UEFA of violating European laws by exploiting its dominance of the European Championship market.

Clubs such as Liverpool have had to offer a big apology to fans just for thinking about the plan, and former Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, whose team did not participate with compatriot Borussia Dortmund in the proposal to establish the breakaway tournament, still does not see a chance of holding the tournament.

Super League organisers have a new plan, with 60 to 80 teams from several divisions participating, and UEFA has threatened UEFA Super League teams and players with exclusion from all competitions, including the World Cup and the European Championship.

UEFA president Aleksander Severin described the presidents of the founding clubs of the tournament as "snakes" and "liars" and threatened to exclude players from clubs participating in the UEFA Super League.

Source: Agencies