A22, the promoters of the European Super League, have won their appeal in a Madrid court, meaning Super League clubs can’t be punished by UEFA or FIFA. It’s a major boost for Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid in their ongoing fight against UEFA and FIFA.
The competition was first proposed in 2021 but was met with fan protests, leading a number of founder members to withdraw from the competition just days after its inception.
Only Juventus, Real and Barca chose to remain, with the management and promotion of the competition passed on to A22 Sports Management. UEFA have issued stern warnings about potential sanctions to deal with the so-called rebel clubs, but A22’s appeal to the Commercial Court of Madrid has been successful, restoring an injunction that prevents UEFA from applying sanctions
The statement reads:
To claim that, outside of the UEFA and FIFA ecosystem, an independent professional soccer competition could be freely created that could compete with theirs, free from their interference, reveals the utmost naivety because the defendants have such a strong market power that from their monopoly position
they are capable of intimidating, as they have done through public statements such as those that have motivated this litigation.The problem lies in the fact that the risk of the arbitrary use by FIFA and UEFA of their disciplinary power isn’t limited to the repercussion of its effects within the competitions they manage, but can also be used to discourage market operators tempted to enter into relations.
The initiative of the entrepreneur who wants to enter into competition is attacked by the monopolist who doesn’t want it & uses power to obstruct.
Possible justification of FIFA & UEFA’s conduct as an attempt to protect European sporting model is, prima facie, a flimsy excuse…
Bernd Reichart, A22 chief executive, said of the verdict:
“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.”
