UEFA admits shortcomings in sanctioning competitions such as the Super League

This Thursday, UEFA rejected the claim that the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) confirms the creation of a football Super League, admitting that it points to gaps in competition authorizations.

“This decision does not constitute an endorsement or confirmation of the so-called Super League; rather, it highlights an existing gap in UEFA’s pre-authorization system, a recognized technical aspect already addressed in June 2022. UEFA is confident that its new rules are robust and, in particular, that they comply with all relevant European laws,” UEFA said in its response to the CJEU decision this Thursday.

This Thursday, the CJEU considered the decision of FIFA and UEFA to ban athletes and clubs from participating in private competitions as contrary to European legislation such as the Super League proposed on April 18, 2021 by the 12 founding clubs.

“UEFA remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the best interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sports model together with national federations, leagues, clubs, fans, players and coaches. , EU institutions, governments and partners,” European football’s governing body continued.

In its first response, UEFA, which scheduled a press conference for 13:00 (Lisbon time), expressed confidence in the stability of the sport.

“We believe that the European football pyramid, based on solidarity, which fans and all stakeholders have proclaimed as their indispensable model, will be protected from the threat of destruction by European and national laws,” he concluded.

The EU’s top administrative body has found that UEFA and FIFA abused their “dominant position” in their actions against the creation of the controversial Super League football.

This decision is not subject to appeal and must be applied by the Spanish court hearing the case in response to a complaint filed in April 2022 by the companies managing the sports project, A22 Sports Management and the European Super League.

The Super League project was initiated by 12 European clubs, of which only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus remained.

In a statement, the CJEU ruled that FIFA and UEFA’s decision to subject any emerging competition to their prior approval was unlawful, as was “banning clubs and athletes from participating in these competitions.”

However, the CJEU said the decision “does not mean that competitions such as the Super League should necessarily be approved”, warning that the decision was about what FIFA and UEFA could or could not do, rather than the legitimacy of a particular project.

In parallel, the court ruled that football regulators in Europe and around the world could not make decisions on broadcast rights, arguing that they could harm clubs and fans by preventing them from “potentially benefiting from the competition.” innovative”.