CJEU ruling does not approve European Super League

LaLiga stresses that the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union does not sanction the European Super League and that UEFA already adopted in 2022 a modification to its regulations for the authorisation of new competitions, which is adapted to what the CJEU is now ruling.

Although the promoters of the Super League claim that this judgment proves them right, the reality is that the CJEU has been clear in stating: 'It doesn't mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved. The Court, having been asked about the FIFA and UEFA rules, does not rule on that specific project in its judgment.'

LaLiga, the only league involved in the proceedings, welcomes this statement, which coincides with the formal position expressed by a total of 23 EU and EEA governments, who joined the football and sporting community in a bid to defend the pyramid of football against secessionist models such as the so-called European Super League.

The essence of this ruling also coincides with the conclusions of the Advocate General of the CJEU from December 2022, who already pointed out: 'Although the European Super League is free to create its own independent football competition, outside the UEFA or FIFA, it cannot, in addition to creating that competition, continue to participate in football competitions organised by FIFA and UEFA without the prior authorisation of those federations.' 

The ruling confirms what it has always been said: anyone can organise competitions outside the UEFA and FIFA, that cannot be prohibited, and no one has questioned that. The judicial question is the conditions for these competitions to be under the UEFA and FIFA. There must be clear and objective regulations for the approval of new competitions. Already in 2022, UEFA established a procedure to authorize new competitions that the European Super League or any other competition can participate in,' explained LaLiga Javier Tebas.

Regardless of this ruling, the entire football system, including players, coaching staff, leagues, federations, or clubs, have made it clear that they don't agree with a model that perpetuates the participation of some privileged clubs, restricting the top of world to an elite, instead of a sport open to all. The creation of a league designed to enrich the richest clubs and concentrate power in a small number of privileged teams would also lead to the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and reduce tax revenues from public coffers around the continent. On that note, according to the expert report prepared by KPMG, in Spain a project such as the European Super League would trigger the loss of 55% in overall revenues for LaLiga and the clubs and would put at risk an industry that generates more than 194,000 jobs and €8,39 billion in taxes per year, which represents 1.44% of Spain's GDP.

The European Parliament approved a report that advocated 'for a European model of sport that recognises the need for a solid commitment to the integration of the principles of solidarity, sustainability, inclusion, open competition, sporting merit and equity and subsequently, firmly opposes splinter competitions that undermine these principles and endanger the stability of the broader sporting ecosystem.'

As a result, despite the clear opinions expressed by fans, clubs, footballers, federations, the European Parliament, EU governments, and now the CJEU to ensure the defence of European football, its jobs, contribution to the economy and so on, we urge the European Commission to implement legislative measures that will protect European football from future similar attacks.

It is of the utmost importance to carry on collaborating with national federations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, backroom team members, EU institutions, governments, and other stakeholders not only to promote the development of football but also to preserve the fundamental values encouraged by European football.