Europe’s football governing body UEFA is set to robustly defend itself after European Super League is set to take them to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), Madrid. ESL clubs have accused UEFA and FIFA for acting unlawfully during the breakaway of the European Super League project.
Previously, the ECJ was called upon to establish whether UEFA and FIFA were involved in any breach of EU competition law. The Spanish court then passed an order that UEFA and FIFA and their associates must not use any prohibited measures that restrict or limits the Super League’s condition. The ECJ on Monday confirmed UEFA’s response on this claim.
“Uefa takes note of the announcement by the European Court of Justice of the referral from a Madrid court on the so-called European Super League, notwithstanding the withdrawal of nine of its founding member clubs. Uefa is confident in its position and will defend it robustly.”
UEFA and FIFA are allegedly involved in violating EU competition rules in order to shut down the league and threatening to take necessary sanctions against Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Juventus as these clubs are still a part of the project.
UEFA openly began disciplinary proceedings against the trio. They were asked to drop the idea of this new league or they could face heavy sanctions. These clubs were also threatened to get banned from UCL for two years. The European body has also claimed that clubs have violated their legal framework.
In April, 12 clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus announced the formation of the European Super League. The backlash of fans forced Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid to back away from this project. The other three clubs remain determined about this project. Meanwhile, other clubs signed a pact with UEFA about not joining a breakaway league in the future. The three clubs have stated that “Any form of coercion or intolerable pressure” following UEFA’s decision to open disciplinary proceedings.