European Super League: Spanish court says Uefa and Fifa wrong to ban clubs from joining breakaway competition – BBC
Fans protested against the plans for a breakaway European Super League when the news was released in 2021
Uefa and Fifa were wrong to ban clubs from joining the breakaway European Super League, a Spanish court has ruled.
Madrid's commercial court said the European and world governing bodies were practising anti-competitive behaviour and abusing their dominant position.
However, Uefa says the ruling is not an endorsement of the ESL or backing of any proposal.
A similar decision was made by the European Court of Justice in December.
The case was brought by A22 Sports Management, the company behind the ESL, against Uefa, Fifa, Spain's La Liga and the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
Uefa has since changed its rules around new competitions following the collapse of the ESL proposal in April 2021 and the court says those new rules are unaffected by Monday's ruling.
Uefa said the ruling "has not given the green light to, nor has it approved, projects like the Super League”, while La Liga added the court "did not endorse" the project.
Bernd Reichart, chief executive of A22, took a different view, saying the ruling meant "the era of the monopoly is now definitively over" and was "an important step towards a truly competitive and sustainable club football landscape in Europe".
Reichart also accused Uefa of stifling innovation and said clubs "should not have to fear threats of sanctions simply for having ideas and conversations".
The ESL saga began in April 2021 when news broke that 12 teams – including English teams Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – had signed up to the breakaway competition.
There was widespread fury and condemnation from fans, other European leagues and even government, leading to the collapse of the plans within 72 hours.
The six Premier League clubs plus Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan were fined by Uefa, but action against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus was halted during the legal process, although Juventus signalled their intention to quit the project in July.
Analysis by BBC chief football news reporter Simon Stone
It is not unusual in the European Super League saga for those backing it and those vehemently against to come up with vastly differing observations around the same judgement.
Effectively, at the end of last year, the European Court of Justice created a system that would allow competing tournaments to Uefa’s.
A22 have been quite bullish about getting clubs to join a 'rebel' tournament but are yet to announce anything concrete and in the meantime the European Clubs' Association is growing in size and influence under the guidance of Paris St-Germain chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi and chief executive Charlie Marshall.
In addition, world governing body Fifa backed away from a legal argument over domestic matches being played in overseas territories, something La Liga is keen to push the button on.
Today’s judgement has triggered another round of competing statements but regardless of who has ‘won’ and ‘lost’, big change in football is not far away.
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Juventus begin process to leave ESL breakaway plan
Plans for revamped European Super League announced
Nadal loses on possible French Open farewell
'I was lost' – Dancing with fans, hiding the pain
Emery signs new five-year Aston Villa contract
The Kinsellas are back and thriving
Watch the second series of the hit crime drama exclusively on BBC iPlayer
Hunting a wanted people smuggler on the run
Follow journalist Sue Mitchell and former soldier Rob Lawrie on the hunt for a crime boss
Can the Probation Service keep us safe?
Panorama goes undercover, revealing how easy it is for convicted criminals to go on the run
'He felt sure there were going to be accidents'
First-person accounts of the tragic death of Formula One driver Ayrton Senna in 1994
Korda to take Woods-like dominance into US Open
Grealish will be 'back' after 'struggles' – Guardiola
When Toone and Russo hid Stanway in a suitcase. Video
Players let down over dementia risk, says Kinnear daughter
Leclerc achieves 'ultimate dream'
No 'perfect ending' but Murray proud of French Open legacy
Man Utd hang on to beat Man City 2-1 and win FA Cup. Video
'Champion team show rivals how to get it done again'
'Ball-stealing machine' Dupont stars in pulsating final
'People said I wasn't good enough for Premier League Darts' Video
Ecclestone and Dean star as England beat Pakistan. Video
The best Premier League dynasties – who was the greatest?
Meet the man who once beat Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk's epic victory over Fury in 10 pictures
Black, white and shades of grey – what's behind sprint's race divide?
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
