Will there soon be a competition for the Champions League? The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Thursday (12 December) that UEFA's rules on the authorisation of football competitions, such as the breakaway Super League, were contrary to competition law.

"Fifa and UEFA's rules on the prior authorisation of club football competitions, such as the Super League, violate EU law," the Luxembourg-based court said in a statement.

The Court, which is ruling on the Fifa and UEFA rules in force in 2021, at the time of the launch of this procedure, considers that the powers of these two organisations "are not circumscribed by any criterion ensuring their transparency (...) and non-discriminatory".

However, it said that the Super League project, led by several of Europe's richest clubs, "does not necessarily have to be authorised". The CJEU stresses that it rules in a general way and not on this specific project.

Read alsoLife and death of the Super League: 48 hours that almost changed European football

'Free football' and 'a selfish and elitist model'

"UEFA's monopoly is over. Football is free," Bernd Reichart, head of A22, the company that promotes the Super League, told the X network.

"We have won the right to exist. UEFA's monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanctions AND free to determine their own future," said our CEO Bernd Reichart about the CJEU decision. 1/4

— A22 Sports (@A22Sports) December 21, 2023

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, who have not given up on the project for two years, welcomed the European decision. "European club football will never again be a monopoly," Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Thursday. Barca, meanwhile, believe that European justice "paves the way for a new competition" in Europe.

Several times have also been raised to reiterate their opposition to this project, such as La Liga – the Spanish football league. "Now more than ever, we reiterate that the 'Super League' is a selfish and elitist model. Anything that is not totally open, with direct access only through the national championships, season by season, is a closed format," the organization reacted on X.

In the same vein, the Football Supporters Europe association considered that there was "no place in European football for a separatist Super League". "Whatever happens" after the ruling, the plan for a private elite competition "endangers the future of European football," the organization said in a statement, promising that its members "will continue to fight" to prevent it.

A Super League project that lasted less than 48 hours in 2021

The threat of a partial secession of the most powerful clubs, who dream of the highly lucrative model of North American closed leagues while wanting to remain in the domestic leagues, has hung over European football for more than twenty years.

In April 2021, twelve major clubs announced their own private competition, with enormous commercial potential, with an offensive launched at midnight just before a vast reform of the Champions League, which is facing head-on competition. Attacked by surprise, UEFA and Fifa had threatened sanctions.

Read alsoSuper League project: Florentino Perez and Andrea Agnelli, the "mastermind" and the "traitor"

The mutineers' disastrous communication and then strong opposition from fans, particularly in England, prompted several countries to consider legislative measures, prompting nine of the rebel clubs to throw in the towel. The dissident adventure collapsed in less than 48 hours.

With AFP

This week's recapFrance 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week

Subscribe now

Take international news with you wherever you go! Download the France 24 app