European Super League verdict causes uproar as Man Utd release statement
The European Court of Justice has ruled that FIFA and UEFA acted unlawfully in blocking the European Super League. Now, the company behind the controversial proposals has launched plans for a new format that will see 64 teams compete.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have expressed their satisfaction over Thursday’s ruling. It comes two-and-a-half years after initial proposals saw 12 teams reveal that they were signing up to the European Super League.
Widespread criticism saw six Premier League clubs withdraw from the exclusive and highly lucrative competition. Express Sport brings you all the latest in our live blog, below…
Real Madrid and Barcelona hail ‘great day for football’ after European Super League ruling
Spanish football’s biggest clubs say that Thursday’s European Court of Justice ruling marks a “great day for football”.
Real Madrid and Barcelona were two of few teams who remained intent on pushing ahead with the European Super League after several other clubs withdrew.
Madrid president Florentino Perez said the ruling marks a “great day for the history of football and the history of sport.”
Barcelona added in their own statement that “the ruling opens the way to a new top-level football competition in Europe by opposing the monopoly over the football world.”
Man Utd insist they remain committed to UEFA competition
Manchester United were the first club to insist that they will not take part in the European Super League.
United were one of the six England teams who signed up to the initial plans, and then subsequently withdrew.
The Red Devils said on Thursday: Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.
What was the ruling?
The European Court of Justice has ruled that FIFA and UEFA acted unlawfully in their efforts to block the European Super League.
Thursday’s verdict found that FIFA’s and UEFA’s rules requiring new football competitions to be subject to their prior approval, and banning players from taking part in those competitions, were “unlawful.”
“There is no framework for the FIFA and UEFA rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate,” the court said.
“Similarly, the rules giving FIFA and UEFA exclusive control over the commercial exploitation of the rights related to those competitions are such as to restrict competition, given their importance for the media, consumers and television viewers in the European Union.”
The verdict is not necessarily specific to the European Super League, but the competition was at the heart of the argument put forward by A22 Sports Management.
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