European court opens hearing on whether UEFA can block Super League
Before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, attorneys for the remnants of the Super League, a short-lived Champions League competitor, criticized the "monopolistic" goals of UEFA (CJEU).
The CJEU will hear arguments about the alleged abuse of power by UEFA on Monday and Tuesday. Before the end of 2022 or even the beginning of 2023, a decision is not anticipated.
A Madrid judge has asked the court to consider the matter.
Miguel Odriozola Alen, a supporter of the Spanish enterprise Super League, stated: "We are here to protect the liberties that make the EU a unique jurisdiction in the world, offering to fight against uneconomic activities.
He accused UEFA of being a "monopolistic institution" that shouldn't be allowed to "take regulatory powers in a market where it competes," which has helped discourage "rebellious" teams from taking the risk.
It was announced in April 2021 that 12 elite European clubs would compete in the Super League. Nine teams withdrew, and the agreement collapsed within 48 hours as a result of fan outrage and the fear of government action.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus are the three clubs that refused to abandon the plan, and in a separate lawsuit filed in a Spanish court, they are contesting the possibility of punishment from UEFA.
According to UEFA's lawyer Donald Slater, "a league confined to the richest clubs is incompatible with the European sporting paradigm, which is based on merit."
He said that the Swiss organization "did not want to maximize its earnings" but merely to ensure "that sport performs societal tasks through the application of uniform norms" in accordance with European treaties.
The stakes extend far beyond football and the Super League.
The International Skating Federation sought a lifetime ban against two Dutch speed skaters on Monday, in order to bar them from competing in a South Korean private competition. The case came before the CJEU on appeal.
The sportsmen' unwillingness to take on such a risk put an end to this effort.
They labeled the Super League as a "existential threat to European football," and earlier on Monday, 15 European supporters' associations, including those from France, Spain, England, and Germany, released an united statement expressing their "resistance" to it.
"The project is an idea from a billionaire. It is anti-competitive in character and, if put into practice, would demolish the fundamental tenets of the European model, including athletic merit, promotion and relegation, eligibility for Europe through success (in national competitions), and financial solidarity, according to the statement.
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