By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
The European Super League has won its case against FIFA and UEFA at the European Court of Justice.
In 2020, 12 clubs including six from the Premier League – announced plans to form a new division with the aim of securing their financial future.
The clubs took the decision following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Following widespread criticisms that trailed action and fear of severe sanction, each of the English clubs – Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – as well as AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, quickly withdrew.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus however continued their first.
“A statement read: “The FIFA and UEFA rules making any interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful.”
Furthermore, it ruled: “However, the powers of FIFA and UEFA are not subject to any such criteria. FIFA and UEFA are, therefore, abusing a dominant position.
“Moreover, given their arbitrary nature, their rules on approval, control and sanctions must be held to be unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services. READ ALSO:
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“That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved. The Court does not rule on that specific project in its judgment.”
