A senior legal adviser yesterday said that the European Court of Justice should recognize that FIFA-UEFA rules under which a Super League project should be subject to prior to approval are compatible with EU competition law.
Advocate General Athanasios Rantos said that while Super League organizers were entitled to set up an independent competition “outside the UEFA and FIFA ecosystem, it cannot, however, in parallel with the creation of such a competition, continue to participate in the football competitions organized by FIFA and UEFA without the prior authorization of those federations.”
Rantos said that UEFA and FIFA could restrict competitors’ access to the European market of organizing soccer competitions, but “such a fact, if established, does not manifestly mean that those rules have the object of restricting competition.”
UEFA welcomed the opinion, saying it was “an encouraging step towards preserving the existing dynamic and democratic governance structure of the European football pyramid.”
UEFA said that Rantos’ opinion reinforced the role of federations “in protecting the sport, upholding fundamental principles of sporting merit and open access across our members, as well as uniting football with shared responsibility and solidarity.”
Advocates general routinely provide legal guidance to the court. Their opinions are not binding on the Luxembourg-based court, but are followed in most cases.
The case was heard in July at the court after the Super League failed at its launch in April last year.
However, the company formed by 12 rebel clubs — now led by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus — started legal action and the Court of Justice was asked to rule on points of EU law by a Madrid tribunal.
A final ruling is expected next year.
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