European Super League gets major boost as EU's top court rules UEFA and FIFA cannot block clubs

In a major boost, the European Union's top court has ruled in favour of the European Super League, claiming both UEFA and FIFA defied the EU competition law. The ESL was first unveiled in April 2021 as 12 clubs led by Real Madrid and Barcelona decided to start a new venture. UEFA had threatened the clubs that anyone joining the league would have to face severe consequences in the near future.

3 things you need to know

• European Super League was unveiled in 2021
• As many as 12 clubs initially joined the movement
• both UEFA and FIFA didn't approve the league

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European Super League gets major boost 

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid initially joined the European Super League but severe backlash from the supporters saw ten of them withdrawing their names from the competition.

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Court said that both FIFA and UEFA cannot use their dominant position to influence other soccer leagues.

"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.
"There is no framework for the FIFA and UEFA rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.
"Similarly, the rules giving FIFA and UEFA exclusive control over the commercial exploitation of the rights related to those competitions are such as to restrict competition, given their importance for the media, consumers and television viewers in the European Union."

European Super League authorities came up with a revived plan to renew their interest in February this year and it remains to be seen how they manage to convince clubs to join the competition again.

UEFA issues a statement after latest court ruling

UEFA also issued a statement after the court's judgement came out.

 A statement read, "UEFA takes note of the judgment delivered today by the ECJ in the European Super League case.

This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called ‘super league’; 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.