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The European Super League \u201cjudgement day\u201d and the decision that could shape the future of football has been made against Uefa and Fifa.<\/p>\n
First launched in 2021, the European Super League proposed a breakaway competition involving some of Europe\u2019s biggest teams in a \u201cclosed shop\u201d format.<\/p>\n
The controversial plans were met with fierce opposition from fans and the football\u2019s governing bodies, leading to its stunning collapse within days of being launched.<\/p>\n
But, the European Super League wasn\u2019t actually killed off, and the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice has ruled that the regulations at the time concerning the breakaway were inadequate and that the governing bodies acted \u201cillegally\u201d in blocking the rebel tournament.<\/p>\n
Now, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice has delivered its verdict on the case, in what is a huge moment for the sport. Here\u2019s everything you need to know.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice ruled that Uefa and Fifa acted against competition law by blocking the formation of the European Super League in 2021 and sanctioning the clubs involved.<\/p>\n In its ruling, the ECJ stated: \u201cThe Fifa and Uefa rules on prior approval of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League, are contrary to EU law.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are contrary to competition law and the freedom to provide services.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Fifa and Uefa rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful. There is no framework for the Fifa and Uefa rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.\u201d<\/p>\n A22, the company backing the European Super League, said on X, formerly known as Twitter: \u201cWe have won the right to compete. The Uefa-monopoly is over. Football is free.<\/p>\n \u201cClubs are now free from the threat of sanction and free to determine their own futures.\u201d<\/p>\n The decision by the ECJ is binding and not subject to appeal.<\/p>\n It is unclear what the ruling will mean in practice, although Uefa have been undermined and those in favour of the Super League emboldened.<\/p>\n But as of yet there is no clear path for a resurgence of the breakaway.<\/p>\n The ECJ judgement added: \u201cThat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The competition was initially launched with 12 founding members \u2013 Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid \u2013 who would permanently take part in the competition.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n After its defeat in 2021, the European Super League returned with a new format, crucially removing the \u201cclosed shop\u201d format that would have seen its founding members be immune from relegation.<\/p>\n The latest proposal has been tweaked and could contain up to 80 teams in a multi-divisional format. The Super League would also be based on sporting performance only with no permanent members.<\/p>\n A22 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.<\/p>\n A22 chief executive Bernd Reichart said the new-look Super League would be an open competition, with qualification achieved via performance at national level and with all its teams competing in their domestic leagues. Those national leagues would remain \u201cthe foundation\u201d of the game, Reichart said, and argued that the new Super League would generate new revenues to support the entire pyramid. There is a guarantee of a minimum of 14 matches that would provide \u201cstability and predictability\u201d of revenue.<\/p>\n While Barcelona and Real Madrid seemingly remain committed to the breakaway, there is less known about whether the six Premier League clubs originally involved in the European Super League launch would still consider supporting it.<\/p>\n Additionally, the Premier League has just announced a new domestic television rights deal worth \u00a36.7bn \u2013 and there would likely have been strict rules within that agreement that would forbid English clubs from signing up for competitions that are now approved by Uefa or Fifa.<\/p>\n The English game\u2019s new independent regulator has also set out rules forbidding clubs from joining unlicensed competitions, while the Premier League\u2019s Owners\u2019 Charter, agreed in 2022, also states clubs must not \u201cengage in the creation of new competition formats outside of the Premier League\u2019s rules\u201d.<\/p>\n There remains a lack of specific detail available over the Super League\u2019s newly scrubbed reform plan, but they have released a list of 10 principles to govern their approach. They say they have been formed after \u201cconsistent feedback\u201d with clubs, though they opted against saying which ones.<\/p>\n The 10 guiding principles are listed as:<\/p>\nWhat has been decided today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What does this mean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What happened to the European Super League in 2021?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Why is it back now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What about the Premier League?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What are the \u201810 principles\u2019 of the new European Super League?<\/strong><\/h3>\n