European Super League LIVE: A22’s breakaway format won’t include Premier League clubs after ‘ban’ claims
The European Court of Justice has dealt a blow to Uefa and Fifa in their efforts to kill off the European Super League, but there remain many obstacles in the way of the ESL’s ambitious plans
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The controversial European Super League is set to relaunch with new tournament plans this morning, after a landmark European Court of Justice ruling.
The ECJ ruled that Uefa and Fifa both acted “unlawfully” by blocking the rebel tournament when it initially launched in 2021. However, while the ruling stated that the governing bodies had “abused their dominant position” by forbidding the creation of any new club competitions, it also stressed that doesn’t mean the Super League project has to be approved in the future.
A22, the company backing the European Super League, gleefully declared that “the Uefa monopoly is over” and that “football is free”, while LaLiga released a statement condemning the Super League as “a selfish and elitist model”.
Following today’s ruling, A22 is announcing a new proposal for men’s and women’s midweek European Competitions at 11am GMT. In a change from the previous European Super League plans, participation will apparently be based on sporting merit, there will be no permanent members and the league will feature promotion and relegation.
Follow the latest updates and news from Luxembourg below:
Sunak will ban Premier League clubs from joining European Super League
Rishi Sunak’s government has vowed to ban Premier League clubs from joining the European Super League, as the breakaway venture attempts a relaunch.
The European Court of Justice ruled that Uefa and Fifa acted unlawfully by stopping the league – opening up fresh efforts by A22 Sports to kick-start the controversial project.
The “big six” English clubs sparked outrage from their own fans and opposition from Boris Johnson’s government in 2021 when they secretly agreed to play in a new European Super League.
Sunak will ban Premier League clubs from joining European Super League
Government vows to bring forward bill to create regulator and ‘stop clubs from joining’ hated project
ECJ ruling leaves one question: Is the European Super League really back?
Amid the thousands of words in the European Court of Justice ruling, as well as those in the immediate relaunch of the European Super League, the only ones that really matter are whether the project can go ahead.
The answer is that it remains complicated, and all advantage still lies with Uefa, as well as sporting governing bodies generally. The Super League is still subject to Uefa’s authorisation rules and procedures, those rules just have to be more transparent.
The end result of all of this was that Uefa have to amend and update their rules on the pre-authorisation of new competitions, and make them compliant with European Union law. Uefa was rebuked for the procedure of its laws rather than the substance. The old rules, which are in the process of changing, were criticised. That doesn’t mean it was wrong to have such rules.
After ECJ’s ruling, is the European Super League really back?
The European Court of Justice’s ruling doesn't mean Uefa is dead – but it does bring a surprise extra change
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
Why is it back now?
After its defeat in 2021, the European Super League returned with a new format, crucially removing the “closed shop” format that would have seen its founding members be immune from relegation.
A22 claims to have consulted with nearly 50 European clubs since October last year and developed 10 principles based on that consultation which underpin its plans for a new-look league. The people involved with the European Super League believe football across the continent is in danger and they are the self-appointed guardians to save it.
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
What happened to the European Super League in 2021?
It was a rare triumph of fan power when the European Super League first tried to launch back in April 2021 as immediate, sustained protests from across the football community caused the clubs involved to scuttle away with their tail between their legs.
The competition was initially launched with 12 founding members – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid – who would permanently take part in the competition.
The plan quickly collapsed after the six Premier League clubs pulled out within 24 hours in the face of fierce criticism from supporters, pundits, clubs and the media, but Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid remained committed to the concept.
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
Who is supporting the new European Super League?
Clubs from all over Europe have come out to speak against the new proposal from A22, including the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United released a form statement, saying: “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.”
Bayern Munich also spoke against the proposal, saying: “The Bundesliga forms the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues form the foundation of European football clubs.
“Therefore, it is our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not weaken them. We also support the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA. So once again it’s very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed.”
However, Real Madrid and Barcelona spoke favourably following the ruling.
Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez said: “From Real Madrid we welcome with great satisfaction the decision taken by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values and freedoms.
“We are facing the great opportunity to improve European club football. A football at the height of the 21st century, with a transparent governance, that knows how to live with new technologies and that once again provokes the passion and emotion that fans really need.”
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
Will Premier League clubs join the new European Super League?
The controversial European Super League was given new hopes of a revival following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice.
However, Premier League clubs may still be unable to join the breakaway competition.
Will Premier League clubs join the new European Super League?
The new European Super League could have up to 80 teams in a multi-divisional format, if it ever comes to fruition, but UK law could block Premier League giants from joining
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
What about the Premier League?
Even if a revised European Super League does get the green light, it appears as if Premier League clubs will still be unable to join. The UK is no longer bound by EU law since Brexit and the UK government’s Department of Culture, Media & Sport released a statement that indicated a bill about to pass into law, which sets up a new independent football regulator, would stop English clubs signing up for a breakaway competition.
“The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government,” said a DCMS spokesperson.
“We took decisive action at the time by triggering the fan-led review of football governance, which called for the creation of a new independent regulator for English football. We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that makes this a reality, and will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.”
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
What do we know about the new European Super League?
Following the landmark ruling, A22 – the organisation behind the Super League – announced a new proposal for men’s and women’s midweek European competitions with participation based on sporting merit with promotion/relegation between leagues, no permanent members and all Super League matches being free to watch.
The specifics of the format are outlined here, but essentially the men’s competition would see 64 teams split into a three-division system, with 16 clubs in each of the top two leagues and 32 clubs in the third. They would then be further split into divisions of eight with a knockout system at the end to determine the champions of each league.
The women’s competition would be largely the same but without the 32-team third tier, meaning just two leagues of 16 teams, so 32 clubs in total involved. There would be relegation between the leagues in both competitions and club could earn promotion into the bottom tier based on performances in their domestic league.
European Super League verdict explained: Everything you need to know after ECJ ruling
What does this mean?
It is unclear what the ruling will mean in practice, although supporters of the European Super League say that Uefa has been undermined and that their plans have been emboldened. As of yet there is no clear path for a resurgence of the breakaway.
The ECJ judgement added: “That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved. The Court, having been asked generally about the FIFA and UEFA rules, does not rule on that specific project in its judgment.”
Sunak will ban Premier League clubs from joining European Super League
Rishi Sunak’s government has vowed to ban Premier League clubs from joining the European Super League, as the controversial breakaway venture attempts a relaunch.
The Department from Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has made clear that forthcoming legislation, the Football Governance Bill, will stop British clubs from joining.
A spokesperson said the previous attempt to create a breakaway league – involving England’s big six – was a “defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the government”.
They added: “We took decisive action at the time by triggering the fan-led review of football governance, which called for the creation of a new independent regulator for English football.
“We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that makes this a reality, and will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.”
Sunak will ban Premier League clubs from joining European Super League
Government vows to bring forward bill to create regulator and ‘stop clubs from joining’ hated project
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