January 31, (THEWILL) – The European Super League project has received a boost with the Madrid Audiencia Provincial Civil Court issuing an injunction against UEFA and FIFA. The decision prevents the two governing bodies from punishing clubs that wish to participate in the controversial league.
The only clubs that have not backed away from the Super League are Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus. FIFA and UEFA had warned that players and clubs involved in the breakaway league would be banned from their competitions, including the World Cup and European Championship.
The court stated, “The problem is that the risk that exists of the arbitrary use by FIFA and UEFA of its disciplinary power does not adhere to the repercussion of its effects within the competitions they manage, but it can also be used, as it is clear that it has been threatened with doing so, to discourage any purpose of the operators of the market, who are tempted to build relationships with the competitor.” The court added, “The eventual justification of the conduct of FIFA and UEFA as an attempt to protect the European sports model we consider it, prima facie, as a flimsy excuse.”
The CEO of A22 Sports Management, Bernd Reichart, welcomed the latest development, saying, “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.”
There is no guarantee that clubs will be tempted back to the European Super League, given the opposition from supporters of many teams, but the court’s ruling may encourage more to show an interest.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
