European Super League: Real Madrid, Juventus & Barcelona-backed breakaway league dealt blow over legal opinion

Advocate General Athanasios Rantos at the EU Court of Justice (CJEU) has said that FIFA and UEFA’s power to block teams from joining any breakaway league is compatible with European Union competition law.

The statement delivers a significant blow to the formation of any European Super League. The EU Court of Justice is the highest European court, and, although the statement is not binding, it represents a significant boost to UEFA ahead of the final ruling next year.

The controversial European Super League was announced in 2021 and was to include several English clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

But following an intense backlash from fans and media, the proposed league collapsed with every side pulling out of the project bar Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.

Those three clubs insisted they are within their rights to form a new competition, which would see them withdraw from the UEFA-run Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League tournaments.

“UEFA welcomes today’s unequivocal opinion of Advocate General Rantos, which is an encouraging step towards preserving the existing dynamic and democratic governance structure of the European football pyramid.

“The opinion reinforces the central role of federations in protecting the sport, upholding fundamental principles of sporting merit and open access across our members, as well as uniting football with shared responsibility and solidarity.

“Football in Europe remains united and steadfastly opposed to the ESL, or any such breakaway proposals, which would threaten the entire European sports ecosystem.

“While we await the Court’s final judgment due next year, UEFA, as a public interest, not-for-profit governing body, will continue to be fully focused on its mission to develop football for all, in close cooperation with national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans, EU institutions, governments and other relevant stakeholders who have the true values of football at heart.”