Court rules Uefa, Fifa breached EU Law over Super League

Uefa and Fifa contravened EU law when they prevented the formation of a so-called Super League, the European Court of Justice said on Thursday, in a landmark judgment that could change the way soccer is governed.

The European soccer clubs that showed intent to form the breakaway league, which sparked widespread protests among angry fans, were threatened with sanctions by Uefa.

In its ruling the EU's top court said Fifa and Uefa abused their dominant position by forbidding clubs to compete in a European Super League (ESL), though that project may still not be approved as the court did not rule on it specifically.

Sports development company A22, which was formed to assist creating the ESL, had said Uefa and global soccer governing body Fifa held a monopoly position that was in breach of the EU's Competition and Free Movement Law.

“We have won the right to compete. The Uefa monopoly is over. Football is free,” A22 CEO Bernd Reichart said.

“Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction and free to determine their own futures.”

The ruling came as the International Skating Union lost its bid to overturn an EU antitrust order that it stop penalising speed skaters for taking part in new money-spinning events.

Belgian soccer club Royal Antwerp had also challenged Uefa's rules on home-grown players, which the court said could be contrary to EU law.

The court's ruling said Fifa and Uefa must “comply with the competition rules and respect the freedoms of movement”.

“Their rules on approval, control and sanctions must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services.

“That does not mean 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.”

Reuters