The European Super League is alive and can finally begin operations despite the backlash of fans and even clubs. The European Court of Justice ruled in favor of the ESL after it found FIFA’s and UEFA’s blocking of the league unlawful.
“The FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful,” the ruling stated. The ruling also stated that UEFA and FIFA were “abusing a dominant position” in holding the creation of the league back.
A22, the backers of the ESL and La Liga, responded to the ruling with CEO Bernd Reichard stating: “We have won the #RightToCompete. The UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE.”
Potential new format for European Super League explained
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the new format for the ESL would consist of the following:
64 teams.
3 divisions (Star, Gold and Blue) with promotions and relegations.
14 games each season per team.
7 at home.
7 away.
It will be an open competition.
Two phases: League and playoffs.
Backlash from clubs
Bayern Munich were the first to voice their concern over the resolution and the validity of the ESL: “It’s very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed”.
“Such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of domestic leagues and the statics of European football”, club CEO Dreesen stated.
A general view of the East Stand at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United before the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and Sporting Braga on October 23, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Manchester United’s statement on Super League, “Our position has NOT changed”. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game”.
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Atlético Madrid rejected the Super League, per club statement. “The European football family does not want the European Super League. Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (except for Real Madrid and Barcelona), etc. do not want the Super League. We are in favor of protecting the European football family, safeguarding domestic leagues, and ensuring that qualification for European competitions is achieved through on-field performance every season”.
Florentino Pérez full speech on Super League
“From Real Madrid we welcome with great satisfaction the decision taken by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values, and freedoms.
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In the coming days we will carefully study the scope of this resolution, but I do anticipate two conclusions of great historical significance.
Florentino Perez of Real Madrid
First of all, that European club football is not and will never be a monopoly again. And secondly, that from today the clubs will be the owners of their destiny. Clubs see fully recognized our right to propose and promote European competitions that modernize our sport and attract fans from all over the world. In short, today the Europe of freedoms has triumphed again and today soccer and its fans have also triumphed.
Faced with the pressures we have received for more than two years, law, reason and freedom are imposed today. And for this reason, Real Madrid will continue to work for the sake of football.
Just as almost seventy years ago we took a fundamental step in the history of soccer with the creation of the European Cup, today we again have the duty and responsibility to give European football the new impetus it needs so much. And for this, we will continue to defend a modern project, fully compatible with national competitions, open to all, based on sporting merit and that will effectively impose respect for financial fair play.
A project that will bring economic sustainability for all clubs and that above all will protect the players and excite fans around the world.
We will do it despite the campaigns we have suffered and that, without a doubt, will intensify from today. But no one said that ending a monopoly after so many decades was simple.
We are facing the great opportunity to improve European club football. A football at the height of the 21st century, with a transparent governance, that knows how to live with new technologies and that once again provokes the passion and emotion that fans really need.
Let me tell the European clubs that we are facing the beginning of a new time in which we can work in freedom from constructive dialogue, without threats, without acting against anything or anyone and with the aim of innovating and modernizing football to continue nurturing the passion of the fans.
From today, the present and future of European football are finally in the hands of clubs, players, and their fans. Our destiny belongs to us, and we have a great responsibility before us.
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This day will mark a before and after. It is a great day for the history of football and for the history of sport”.
