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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>ECJ rules on European Super League</li><li>Declares blocking new competition is unlawful</li><li>Decision is blow to FIFA and UEFA</li></ul>

European Super League verdict: Huge blow for FIFA and UEFA as top court says rules banning breakaway league were unlawful, sparking fears rebel clubs - including Premier League 'Big Six' - could force exit

The European Court of Justice has delivered its ruling on the proposed Super League and handed a blow to both FIFA and UEFA. The ECJ has declared that blocking the formation of the competition is contrary to EU law, potentially paving the way for the competition to be resurrected.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ECJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ECJ</a>: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFA</a> rules on prior approval of interclub <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/football?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#football</a> competitions, such as the Super League, are contrary to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUlaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EUlaw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuropeanSuperleague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuropeanSuperleague</a> 👉 <a href="https://t.co/ATb3CgbPxg">https://t.co/ATb3CgbPxg</a> <a href="https://t.co/XCnLzwIKWb">pic.twitter.com/XCnLzwIKWb</a>— EU Court of Justice (@EUCourtPress) <a href="https://twitter.com/EUCourtPress/status/1737757098807554523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

The ruling stated that when it comes to potential new competitions both FIFA and UEFA must ensure their powers are "transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate".The ECJ went on to add: "However, the powers of Fifa and Uefa are not subject to any such criteria. Fifa and Uefa are, therefore, abusing a dominant position."Moreover, given their arbitrary nature, their rules on approval, control and sanctions must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services."That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved. The Court does not rule on that specific project in its judgment."

WHAT THE ECJ SAID

Twelve clubs announced the formation of a new Super League in April 2021 but it <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/super-league-falls-apart-agnelli-confirms-new-competition-cannot-go-ahead-after-premier-league-teams-withdraw/qfca7c017vuk10ypux3b8msxy" target="_blank">swiftly fell apart as teams withdrew amid huge criticism</a> and fan protests. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/juventus-leave-european-super-league-real-madrid-barcelona/blt8771e86ddd2528eb" target="_blank">Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid</a> remain as the only two clubs backing the plan but it could now be revived after the ECJ's ruling.A22, the company behind the original project, said they have "won the right to compete" in a post on social media after the ruling was announced.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">„We have won the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RightToCompete?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RightToCompete</a>. The UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures”, our CEO Bernd Reichart comments the CJEU decision. 1/4— A22 Sports (@A22Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/A22Sports/status/1737758297862689267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

It remains to be seen if the ECJ's decision will pave the way for the competition to return. Fans have been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/why-are-football-fans-protesting-against-super-league-plans/8css5g43wcyc1bhv4qwtr6pko" target="_blank">extremely vocal in their protests </a>against the proposed breakaway league and there has been criticism from all quarters. Indeed <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/my-opinion-didnt-change---liverpool-boss-klopp-reiterates-opposition-to-super-league-plans/1gjaf5kixdd9613wy16ug4v4wi" target="_blank">Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of the fact </a>he is against the plan which still faces huge opposition despite today's decision.

WHAT NEXT?

European Super League verdict: Huge blow for FIFA and UEFA as top court says rules banning breakaway league were unlawful, sparking fears rebel clubs - including Premier League 'Big Six' - could force exit | Goal.com

The Super League could be back on after judges at the European Court of Justice decided that blocking the new competition was against EU law.

European Super League verdict: Huge blow for FIFA and UEFA as top court says rules banning breakaway league were unlawful, sparking fears rebel clubs - including Premier League &apos;Big Six&apos; - could force exit