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

New European Super League proposal revealed

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:

European Super League vs Uefa verdict

• Super League given fresh hope after court rules Uefa and Fifa ‘unlawfully’ blocked project
• European Court of Justice determines breach of EU law to forbid the competition
• ECJ stressed that it doesn’t mean the Super League must be approved
• A22, company backing the Super League, announces controversial plans for new tournament
• Barcelona and Real Madrid release statements back new plans
• Manchester United, Bayern Munich and other clubs reject Super League proposals
• UK Government hopes to introduce independent regulator and ban English clubs from joining

[21 December 2023 17:00 · Mike Jones]

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, but those rules just have to be more transparent. Clubs will also have to be more involved in decision-making. Put bluntly: the Super League would still have to get permission to set up, if their clubs want to stay in the system, which they have already said they do.

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.

[21 December 2023 16:40 · Mike Jones]

Manchester United lead clubs’ rejection of European Super League

Manchester United have said that they remain “fully committed” to working with Uefa as a number of clubs come out against new proposals for a European Super League.

The Super League project was given renewed life by a ruling at the European Court of Justice that found that Uefa had acted unlawfully in blocking the original plans for the competition in April 2021.

A22 Sports, the company behind the idea, have subsequently unveiled new, revamped plans for a midweek tournament comprising 64 men’s clubs in three tiers, as well as a 32-team women’s competition.

[21 December 2023 16:20 · Mike Jones]

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.

The Grand Chamber of the ECJ ruled that Fifa and Uefa abused their dominant position by forbidding clubs outright to compete in a ESL, but added that the Super League may still not be approved.

Sports development company A22, formed to assist in the creation of the ESL, had claimed that the governing bodies held a monopoly position which was in breach of the EU’s Competition and Free Movement Law.

[21 December 2023 16:00 · Mike Jones]

European Super League launches radical new plan for football

The European Super League (ESL) have launched a radical new plan to overhaul football after a landmark court ruling determined that Uefa had violated EU competition law by forbidding the project initially.

The European Court of Justice ruled that football’s governing bodies acted “unlawfully” by blocking the breakaway league – stating that Fifa and Uefa abused their dominant position by forbidding clubs outright to compete in the ESL, although added that the Super League may still not be approved.

Sports development company A22, formed to assist in the creation of the ESL, celebrated the ruling and heralded a new dawn for the sport.

[21 December 2023 15:45 · Mike Jones]

Uefa hits back at European Super League after European Court of Justice ruling

Uefa has said that it remains confident it can continue to uphold the European football pyramid despite a ruling against the body at the European Court of Justice.

The ECJ’s Grand Chamber found that Uefa and Fifa had acted outside of European Union law when blocking the original plans for a European Super League in April 2021.

The proposed breakaway venture quickly collapsed after the withdrawal of six Premier League clubs, who were among 12 original members for a closed shop league. A22 Sports have since revamped their idea to an open competition.

[21 December 2023 15:30 · Mike Jones]

Premier League responds to new European Super League plans

The Premier League has said it “continues to reject any concept” of a European Super League as opposition continues to new proposals put forward regarding a possible breakaway.

Empowered by a ruling by the European Court of Justice that found that Uefa had acted unlawfully in blocking the original proposal in 2021, a revamped, expanded Super League plan has been detailed.

A 64-team men’s competition would feature three tiers with promotion and relegation, while a women’s tournament has also been proposed.

Six Premier League clubs were part of a group of 12 part of the initial proposal two-and-a-half years ago, but all six backed out after facing significant opposition from fans.

[21 December 2023 15:23 · Mike Jones]

Ask Miguel Delaney anything as European Super League launches radical new plan for football

The controversial European Super League has announced it will relaunch, unveiling plans for a new tournament after a landmark European Court of Justice ruling.

The competition was initially launched in 2021 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.

Now, the European Super League has tabled plans to return, crucially removing the “closed shop” format that would have seen its founding members be immune from relegation.

[21 December 2023 15:15 · Mike Jones]

Super League given fresh hope after court rules Uefa and Fifa ‘unlawfully’ blocked controversial project

The controversial European Super League was given fresh hope of revival after a landmark European Court of Justice ruling.

The Grand Chamber of the ECJ had been debating whether Uefa and Fifa acted against competition law by blocking the European Super League in 2021 and sanctioning clubs involved, but has ruled that the regulations at the time concerning the breakaway were inadequate and that the governing bodies acted “unlawfully” in blocking the rebel tournament.

The EU’s top court ruled that Fifa and Uefa abused their dominant position by forbidding clubs outright to compete in a ESL, but added that the Super League may still not be approved.

[21 December 2023 15:00 · Mike Jones]

Man City reach the top of European football while fighting financial charges

After years of near misses, 2023 was when everything came together on the pitch for Manchester City and they finally got their hands on the Champions League trophy.

Their triumph on a glorious June evening in Istanbul, sealed with a fine Rodri strike against Inter Milan, capped a memorable campaign in which they also retained the Premier League and won the FA Cup.

It was a treble achieved only once previously, by Manchester United, and City left their rivals in no doubt as to where the power now lies along the way as they swatted them aside at Wembley.

[21 December 2023 14:53 · Mike Jones]

Latest update from the Premier League

Here’s what the Premier League had to say about today’s ruling and announcements:

“The Premier League notes today’s judgment in the European Court of Justice case involving the “European Superleague Company”, FIFA and UEFA. This is a significant ruling and we will now fully examine its implications for the game.

“The ruling does not endorse the so-called “European Super League” and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept. Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a “breakaway” competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.

“The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.

“Football thrives on the competitiveness created by promotion and relegation, the annual merit-based qualification from domestic leagues and cups to international club competitions and the longstanding rivalries and rituals that come with weekends being reserved for domestic football.

“These principles are enshrined in the Premier League Owners’ Charter, introduced in June 2022, which aims to improve the collective strength and competitiveness of the League in the best interests of the wider game.

“Since 2021, the Premier League, alongside other football bodies, has also strengthened its rules and governance in this area.

“The Premier League will continue to engage in an open and constructive dialogue, with all relevant football stakeholders, on how best to protect and enhance the complementary balance of domestic and international club football.”