European Super League: EU’s top court says FIFA and UEFA’s rules against controversial competition were unlawful

The European Union’s top court ruled against FIFA and UEFA – two of soccer’s top governing bodies – in the European Super League (ESL) case on Thursday, saying that their rules prohibiting clubs and players from playing in new competitions such as the ESL was “unlawful.”

The European Union’s top court ruled against FIFA and UEFA – two of soccer’s top governing bodies – in the European Super League (ESL) case on Thursday, saying that their rules prohibiting clubs and players from playing in new competitions such as the ESL was “unlawful.” The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) was considering whether FIFA and UEFA were legally permitted to block the formation of the controversial breakaway league in 2021. The case was referred to the CJEU by a Madrid court and the CJEU’s judgement had been keenly anticipated by a number of leading soccer clubs as well as fans and governing bodies. The court added that the ruling “does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved,” emphasizing that it was considering the “FIFA and UEFA rules” rather than the legality of the controversial breakaway league, which it referred back to the Spanish court to determine. The ESL’s “anti-monopoly” case against European governing body UEFA sought to establish whether its “dominant” position in the continent’s soccer is legal, according to A22 Sports Management CEO Bernd Reichart. A22 was formed to “sponsor and assist in the creation of the new European Super League,” according to its website. In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, A22 said the decision was a “landmark in football history,” with Reichart adding: “UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures.”