European Super League promoters – Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid won their court battle against the governing body UEFA and vow to continue with their breakaway agenda to form the European Super League.
Recall that earlier this year, 12 football clubs across the top European League announced themselves as founder members of the Super League but collapsed within 72hours after 9 withdrew.
The announcement of the Breakaway League “Elite League” did not sit well with football fans across the world as it attracted protest from all stakeholders and UEFA, FIFA and domestic leagues and even the British Government and Royal Family.
The clubs were penalized but a court sitting in Madrid has ruled that the governing body’s disciplinary proceedings against the founding 12 clubs should be discarded.
The case will now be assessed by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
Reacting to the latest development, A joint statement on their websites read: “FC Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid CF welcome today’s Court’s decision enforcing, with immediate effect, UEFA’s obligation to unwind the actions taken against all European Super League founding clubs, including terminating the disciplinary proceedings against the undersigning three clubs and removing the penalties and restrictions imposed on the remaining nine founding clubs for them to avoid UEFA’s disciplinary action.
“The Court backs the request made by the promoters of the European Super League, dismisses UEFA’s appeal, and confirms its warning to UEFA that failure to comply with its ruling shall result in fines and potential criminal liability.
“The case will be assessed by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, which shall review UEFA’s monopolistic position over European football.
“We have the duty to address the very serious issues facing football: UEFA has established itself as the sole regulator, exclusive operator, and unique owner of rights of European football competitions. “This monopolistic position, in conflict of interest, is damaging football and its competitive balance. As shown by ample evidence, financial controls are inadequate, and they have been improperly enforced. Clubs participating in European competitions have the right to govern their own competitions.
“We are pleased that going forward we will no longer be subject to ongoing UEFA’s threats. Our aim is to keep developing the Super League project in a constructive and cooperative manner, always counting on all football stakeholders: fans, players, coaches, clubs, leagues, and national and international associations.
“We are aware that there are elements of our proposal that should be reviewed and, of course, can be improved through dialogue and consensus. We remain confident in the success of a project that will be always compliant with European Union laws.”