The European Super League row has taken a fresh twist after Madrid’s High Court restored an injunction to protect clubs attempting to establish a new competition from UEFA sanctions, while other legal proceedings continue.
In a statement, A22 Sports Management, the company established to explore the possibility of creating a 'Super League', said that it will continue to speak with stakeholders “free from threats and other obstructive steps taken by UEFA and other bodies”.
Yet the future of the European Super League still appears to rest on the final judgment of the European Court of Justice, which is due in the coming weeks.
The ECJ delivered a significant blow to the prospect of a Super League being created on December 15 by providing an initial non-binding judgment that the rules applied by FIFA and UEFA are compatible with EU competition law.
That, it was expected, would allow the existing governing bodies to punish clubs and players aiming to be part of a breakaway tournament. The ECJ’s final ruling will be referred to Madrid’s Commercial Court.
But, according to A22, when the injunction was restored earlier on Tuesday, Madrid’s High Court said that the steps taken by UEFA and FIFA constitute "obstacles typical of closed and anachronistic models that are not in line with free competition and the principle of freedom of enterprise that prevails in Europe".
A22 said that the High Court has already fined UEFA and La Liga in the course of these legal proceedings for acting in "procedural bad faith", and ordered UEFA to pay legal costs. Bernd Reichart, A22 chief executive, said: "We welcome the fact that this court decision allows A22 to freely continue the project of creating a new and exciting European football competition.
“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.”
UEFA is yet to comment on Tuesday’s update. Last week, L’Equipe said that more than 50 clubs across Europe had been contacted by A22 over the establishment of a Super League, which would not feature Premier League clubs at the beginning The French newspaper said that the Super League would be based on merit and not a closed shop. Strict spending limits, including a salary cap, would also be part of the competition’s regulations.
Earlier this month, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said he believes that the Super League will become “a reality in 2025”, with the Nou Camp chief claiming that a number of other clubs who “have not yet shown their faces” are “very interested” in joining.
