European Super League LIVE: A22’s breakaway format won’t include Premier League clubs after ‘ban’ claims
The European Court of Justice has dealt a blow to Uefa and Fifa in their efforts to kill off the European Super League, but there remain many obstacles in the way of the ESL’s ambitious plans
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The controversial European Super League is set to relaunch with new tournament plans this morning, after a landmark European Court of Justice ruling.
The ECJ ruled that Uefa and Fifa both acted “unlawfully” by blocking the rebel tournament when it initially launched in 2021. However, while the ruling stated that the governing bodies had “abused their dominant position” by forbidding the creation of any new club competitions, it also stressed that doesn’t mean the Super League project has to be approved in the future.
A22, the company backing the European Super League, gleefully declared that “the Uefa monopoly is over” and that “football is free”, while LaLiga released a statement condemning the Super League as “a selfish and elitist model”.
Following today’s ruling, A22 is announcing a new proposal for men’s and women’s midweek European Competitions at 11am GMT. In a change from the previous European Super League plans, participation will apparently be based on sporting merit, there will be no permanent members and the league will feature promotion and relegation.
Follow the latest updates and news from Luxembourg below:
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
What has been decided today?
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice ruled that Uefa and Fifa acted ”unlawfully” by blocking the formation of the European Super League in 2021.
In its ruling, the ECJ stated: “The Fifa and Uefa rules on prior approval of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League, are contrary to EU law. They are contrary to competition law and the freedom to provide services.
“The Fifa and Uefa rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful. There is no framework for the Fifa and Uefa rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.”
A22, the company backing the European Super League, said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “We have won the right to compete. The Uefa-monopoly is over. Football is free.
“Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction and free to determine their own futures.”
The decision by the ECJ is binding and not subject to appeal.
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
The European Super League “judgement day” and the decision that could shape the future of football has been made against Uefa and Fifa.
First launched in 2021, the European Super League proposed a breakaway competition involving some of Europe’s biggest teams in a “closed shop” format.
The controversial plans were met with fierce opposition from fans and the football’s governing bodies, leading to its stunning collapse within days of being launched.
But, the European Super League wasn’t actually killed off, and the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice has ruled that the regulations at the time concerning the breakaway were inadequate and that the governing bodies acted “unlawfully” in blocking the rebel tournament.
Now, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice has delivered its verdict on the case, in what is a huge moment for the sport.
Manchester United have said that they remain “fully committed” to working with Uefa as a number of clubs come out against new proposals for a European Super League.
The Super League project was given renewed life by a ruling at the European Court of Justice that found that Uefa had acted unlawfully in blocking the original plans for the competition in April 2021.
A22 Sports, the company behind the idea, have subsequently unveiled new, revamped plans for a midweek tournament comprising 64 men’s clubs in three tiers, as well as a 32-team women’s competition.
Manchester United were one of six Premier League clubs included among 12 backers of the project two and a half years ago, but soon pulled out after significant opposition from English fans.
Manchester United lead clubs’ rejection of European Super League
Revamped plans for the breakaway competition were unveiled after a ruling by the European Court of Justice
Tom Lockyer released from hospital following collapse during Luton’s match against Bournemouth
In more positive news away from Europe, Luton Town’s Tom Lockyer has been released from hospital following his on-field collapse during Luton’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Full details here:
Tom Lockyer released from hospital following collapse during Luton match
Tom Lockyer has returned home to continue his recovery following his on-field collapse
‘Earn it on the pitch'
Spanish clubs, Sevilla, posted this graphic on their official X account, seemingly in response to the news that the European Super League may be making a comeback:
Bayern Munich CEO addresses Super League concerns
Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga champions, claim the creation of a European Super League ‘represents an attack on domestic leagues and European football’.
Their statement says: “Following today’s ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the subject of the Super League, Jan-Christian Dreesen , CEO of FC Bayern and Vice-Chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), commented as follows:
“We have taken note of the judgment of the European Court of Justice. However, this does not change the attitude of FC Bayern and the attitude of the ECA that such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the statics of European football.
“The Bundesliga forms the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues form the foundation of European football clubs.
“Therefore, it is our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not weaken them. We also support the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA. So once again it’s very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed.”
European Super League proposal
Here’s an explainer - released by A22 who will run the new competition - about the European Super League:
Atletico Madrid rejects ESL proposal
Atletico Madrid has become the latest club to decry A22’s proposal for a new European Super League and released this statement on their website:
“Atletico de Madrid after analyzing the ruling of the European Court of Justice, would like to express the following:
“1. The resolution regarding the framework for prior authorization of other competitions refers to outdated UEFA statutes that were already amended in June 2022.
“2. The European Club Association (ECA) and UEFA have established a partnership that renders the consideration of UEFA as a monopoly meaningless. Through agreements within this joint venture, clubs decide 50% on the sale of sponsorship and television rights, revenue distribution, and competition formats.
“3. The European football community does not support the European Super League. Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (except for Real Madrid and Barcelona), etc. oppose the Super League. We advocate for protecting the broader European football family, preserving domestic leagues, and securing qualification for European competitions through on-field performance each season.”
Manchester United release statement on ESL ruling
In response to the ruling that Uefa and Fifa’s blocking of the European Super League was unlawful, Manchester United - one of the English clubs to sign up the first edition of the ESL - released this statement:
“Manchester United has issued the following statement in reaction to today’s judgement by the European Court of Justice on the European 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.”
Breaking down the new ESL format
The proposal for a European Super League claims to be based on footballing merit but only has two of the 16 teams in the top (Star) tier relegated each season and two teams from the second (Gold) tier promoted.
That means the top division will barely change and the current big European clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and even Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool (if they’re allowed to compete) will all likely remain in the main league.
The European Super League should therefore feature most of the same teams season in and season out which is just what the original idea intended as a way of negating financial losses for clubs that fail to qualify for the current Champions League.
This small attempt at a ‘football pyramid’ allows the ESL to claim that the leagues are based on merit while also almost eradicating any consequences of failure for the big clubs.
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