Juventus flies on the stock exchange after the ruling of European Court of Justice on Super alloy. Judges in Luxembourg have ruled that Fifa and UEFA are abusing their dominant position by banning clubs from competing in a European "Super League". “It is illegal,” they wrote tersely. A decision that can literally revolutionize the world of football, relaunching a project that now seemed dead.
La Juventus in 2021 it was one of the major teams promoting the initiative which, in the company's intentions, would leave more space for clubs to organize tailor-made private championships. It is no coincidence that, halfway through the session, the Juventus team's stock gained over 10% of its value, reaching 0,2758 euros per share, the highest since October
The EU Court: “The UEFA and FIFA system is illegal”
A lapidary sentence that leaves no room for interpretation: "The FIFA and UEFA rules on the prior approval of football competitions between clubs, such as the Super League, are contrary to European Union law. Prevent clubs and players from playing in competitions such as the Super League, it's illegal”, reads the note released by the European Court of Justice.
And again: "there is no regulatory framework of FIFA and UEFA that guarantees their transparency, objectivity, non-discrimination and proportionality". This, the judges explain, "Does not mean that a competition like the Super League project must necessarily be approved", but this is because "the Court, having been questioned in general on the rules of FIFA and UEFA, does not rule on this specific project in his sentence."
The Luxembourg judges also explained the reasons behind the sentence: "The organization of club football competitions and the exploitation of media rights are, evidently, economic activities... they must therefore respect the rules of competition and respect for the freedoms of movement". And therefore, currently, “FIFA and UEFA are abusing their dominant position".
The Court further added that “The Fifa and UEFA rules relating to the exploitation of media rights are such as to damage football clubs European countries, companies operating in media markets and, finally, consumers and viewers".
The reactions
A22 Sports management, the company that holds the rights to the Superlega project commented: “We have obtained the Right to Compete. The UEFA monopoly is over. Football is free. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanctions and free to determine their own future." “For the fans – continues the company – we offer free viewing of all Super League matches”.
The reaction was opposite UEFA, according to which “This ruling does not mean an endorsement or validation of the so-called “superalloy”; rather, it highlights a historic shortcoming in UEFA's pre-authorization framework, a technical aspect that has already been recognized and addressed in June 2022. UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, and in particular in compliance with all European laws and regulations relevant. And it remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the wider interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sporting model collectively with national federations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners. We trust that the European football pyramid based on solidarity, which fans and all interested parties have declared as their irreplaceable model, will be safeguarded from the threat of segregation by European and national laws."
The position of the is identical Liga spagnola: “The ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union does not approve the Super League” and believes that “UEFA has already included in 2022 an amendment to its regulations” for the authorization of new competitions, which adapts to what it is now pronouncing the EU Court. “The EU says that a competition like that of the Super League project does not necessarily have to be authorised. Since general questions were asked about the rules of FIFA and UEFA, the Court of Justice does not comment on this specific project in its ruling." And again: “The substance of this ruling also coincides with the conclusions of the Advocate General of December 2022, who already stated that “although the European Super League club is free to create its own independent football competition, outside the ecosystem of UEFA and FIFA, cannot, in addition to creating this competition, continue to participate in football competitions organized by FIFA and UEFA without the prior authorization of these federations".
