Super League clubs have protection against UEFA sanctions restored

THE 12 clubs involved in the European Super League project have had their protection against any UEFA sanctions restored, at least until the European Court of Justice rules on the case later this year.

An injunction was filed in a Madrid court at the time the hugely controversial league was founded in April 2021 on behalf of the clubs, preventing UEFA or FIFA taking any action against them or their players for being involved. In April last year that injunction was overturned, but has now been restored following further proceedings in the Spanish capital this month.

The ECJ is set to rule later this year on whether UEFA and FIFA abused a dominant position under European competition law by first blocking the creation of the Super League and then seeking to sanction the clubs involved.

UEFA and FIFA rules allowing them to block such competitions from operating under their auspices were found to be compatible with EU law by the Advocate General in the case last month, but his opinion is non-binding. But at least until the legal proceedings at the ECJ are complete, the Super League clubs - which include the Premier League’s Big Six’ - cannot be sanctioned by UEFA.

The Madrid court decision was welcomed by A22, a company formed to sponsor and assist with the creation of a European Super League.

Its chief executive Bernd Reichart said: “We welcome the fact that this court decision allows A22 to freely continue the project of creating a new and exciting European football competition. “It confirms that UEFA’s monopoly position cannot be used to pressure or threaten clubs, players or companies willing to innovate and invigorate competition in professional football. “We will therefore continue our dialogue with football stakeholders in a new and more appropriate environment, free from threats and other obstructive steps taken by UEFA and other bodies.” The Madrid court said UEFA’s insistence that its conduct towards the Super League clubs was motivated by a desire to protect the European sports model of open competition was “a imsy excuse”.

It said the steps UEFA and FIFA had taken were “obstacles typical of closed and anachronistic models that are not in line with free competition”.