“FIFA and UEFA acted ILLEGALLY” – European Court of Justice gives HISTORIC ruling in favor of European Super League

The prospect of a European Super League may have been resuscitated. The much-awaited court ruling surrounding the European Super League and FIFA and UEFA‘s decision to obstruct its formation is out. After a sensational development of events, the European court has stated that UEFA and FIFA acted “illegally” to obstruct the formation of a ‘breakaway’ competition.

The ‘landmark’ ruling stated that the rules set in place by FIFA and UEFA are contrary to EU law. A22, the company tasked with organizing and conducting the Super League had publicly criticized UEFA for ‘gatekeeping’ all rights to European club football. Even though the ruling goes in favor of A22, there remain many more obstacles that have to be cleared to ensure its formation.

They are contrary to competition law and the freedom to provide services. 

ECJ’s ruling

However, all is not well. The court was quick to mention that even though FIFA and UEFA have abused their “dominant” position, a project such as the European Super League may not necessarily be approved. On the other hand, FIFA and UEFA have also been prohibited from sanctioning teams that may opt to join alternate forms of European competition.

The prospect of a Super League may have huge complications and potential ramifications on a global stage. It is yet to be seen whether such a competition will be formed. However, it has been established that UEFA and FIFA acted ‘unlawfully’ in their power as stated by the ECJ itself.

FIFA and UEFA acted unlawfully in blocking the creation of the European Super League in 2021.

UEFA’s response to the European Super League

The proposed European Super League certainly threatens the existence of the UEFA Champions League. Moreover, the fact that major clubs like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are founders of the ‘breakaway’ league offer a further threat to the UCL. UEFA have ‘responded’ with their own ‘Super League’, which will make the Champions League format unrecognizable from next season.

The UCL group stage features 8 groups with 4 teams each, and two progressing to the RO16. Two-legged games in the RO16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals reach down to the final. However, starting next season, UEFA will adopt a ‘Swiss’ model, and here’s what it means. A league system including 36 teams will be implemented from the 2024/25 season. The above teams will be split across 4 groups of nine teams each.

Every team will face two teams from each of the other pots. Following 8 matchdays, the top eight will directly progress to the RO16. The teams ranking 9th to 24th will play out two-legged ties. The winners of the respective games will also enter the RO16 while the losers go into the UEFA Europa League. The teams ranking 25th to 36th will go out of Europe entirely.

Following this stage, the all-familiar RO16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final format returns. This format is expected to ensure that dead rubber games in which already eliminated teams go at each other do not happen. Moreover, fans have also criticized UEFA’s decision to alter the format while also opposing a European Super League.

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