Izuchukwu Okosi
European and other football governing bodies – UEFA, FIFA and Premier League – on Thursday received significant backing in their battle to block creation of European Super League, an idead being championed by top clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.
In a report released by the European Court of Justice, its advocate general stated that the rules of football’s European and world governing bodies were the “compatible with EU competition law.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAthanasios Rantos gave his observations after ESL and its backers, A22, instituted a court case earlier this year.
A final ruling will be made by a 15-member Grand Chamber next spring.
It had been claimed that UEFA and FIFA were breaking competition law by threatening to sanction clubs and players who joined a breakaway league.
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Plans for the proposed European Super League had caused some ripples across the football world when they were announced in April last year (2021).
The six Premier League sides that signed up to the project – Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal – quickly withdrew their support after a backlash from fans, football governing bodies and even government.
However, the plans have not been completely scrapped, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus still pushing the Super League idea.
In a statement on Thursday, European football’s governing body UEFA said it “warmly welcomed” the observations from Rantos which it said supported “our central mission to govern European football, protect the pyramid and develop the game across Europe”.
“[It] is an encouraging step towards preserving the existing dynamic and democratic governance structure of the European football pyramid,” UEFA said.
“It reinforces the central role of federations in protecting the sport, upholding fundamental principles of sporting merit and open access across our members, as well as uniting football with shared responsibility and solidarity.
“Football in Europe remains united and steadfastly opposed to the ESL, or any such breakaway proposals, which would threaten the entire European sports ecosystem.”
FIFA added: “FIFA welcomes the recognition by the Advocate General of the special nature of sport, including the pyramid structure, which preserves the nature of sporting merit and open competitions accessible to all, as well as the principles of promotion and relegation, competitive balance, and financial solidarity.”
The Premier League also welcomed the decision and said that the “fans’ voice regarding the essential nature of sporting integrity has been heard”.
Their statement read: “The focus of Premier League clubs is on improving the collective strength and competitiveness of the League in the best interests of the wider game.
“The Premier League will continue to engage in an open dialogue, with all relevant stakeholders, about how best to protect the complementary balance between domestic and European club football.”
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
