After the plans for a European Super League were forcefully shut down in 2021, Florentino Perez and his associates may be eyeing a potential comeback.
A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice against UEFA and FIFA has given a new lease of life to the ESL. The court deemed the actions of both organizations illegal, asserting that prior approval rules were in violation of EU law.
A22 Sports Management CEO Bernd Reichart took to social media to celebrate the ruling.
"We have won the right to compete. The UEFA monopoly has ended. Football is FREE. Now the clubs will no longer suffer threats and sanctions. They are free to decide their own future."
Real Madrid and Barcelona were the last two clubs to stand behind the project but Premier League clubs are not expected to be involved.
In the aftermath of the ESL saga in 2021, a new independent regulator set rules forbidding Premier League clubs from joining unlicensed competitions.
Also, the Premier League’s Owners’ Charter, agreed in 2022, also made sure clubs will not “engage in the creation of new competition formats outside of the Premier League’s rules”.
UEFA have also released a statement in light of the ruling.
“UEFA takes note of the judgment delivered today by the ECJ in the European Super League case”.
“This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called ‘super league’; it rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA's pre-authorisation framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022.
"UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, and specifically that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.
"UEFA remains resolute in its commitment to uphold the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the broader interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sports model collectively with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners alike.
"We trust that the solidarity-based European football pyramid that the fans and all stakeholders have declared as their irreplaceable model will be safeguarded against the threat of breakaways by European and national laws”.
Due to earlier criticism of its closed structure, the league is exploring a revamped format that could potentially include up to 80 teams.
The potential relaunch of the Super League carries the promise of a substantial revenue injection, estimated at around €1 billion. The league will also be free for viewing for the TV audience.
What are you thoughts on this, Blues? Let us know in the comments!
