The European Super League (ESL) has achieved a legal victory against UEFA and FIFA, marking a significant step toward its potential revival.
The decision was reached at the EU Court of Justice, where A22 Sports, the leading company behind the revamped ESL, argued against football’s governing bodies punishing clubs participating in the competition.
The court ruled that FIFA and UEFA rules, requiring prior approval for interclub football projects like the Super League and prohibiting players from participating, are unlawful.
While this doesn’t guarantee automatic approval for the Super League, it undermines the ability of UEFA and FIFA to lawfully obstruct its establishment.
Barcelona and Real Madrid, two original ESL clubs, welcomed the decision, emphasizing the newfound freedom for clubs to determine their futures.
A22 Sports CEO Bernd Reichard declared victory, stating that the UEFA monopoly is over, and football is now free.
The ESL’s new plans, distinct from the 2021 project, envision up to 80 European teams in a multi-divisional format with no permanent members and qualification based on sporting performance.
The shift aims to avoid the closed-shop model proposed in the initial project, fostering a more inclusive structure.
Despite the legal triumph, the ESL still faces challenges in winning public and football community acceptance, as the initial proposal triggered widespread backlash.
The dynamics of how qualification based on sporting performance will be implemented remain uncertain.