European court ruling on UEFA, FIFA and Super League - What they said

Europe's top court, the European Court of Justice (ECJ), ruled on Thursday, December 21, 2023,  that UEFA broke EU law in blocking the rival Super League competition.

AFP Sport picks put the principal reaction to the decision:

COURT RULING

"The FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful."

-- ECJ.

GOVERNING BODIES AND GOVERNMENT REACTION

"This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called 'super league'; it rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA's pre-authorisation framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022."

-- UEFA.

"We watched the A22 presentation and it is hard for me to decide if you should be shocked or amused... I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible with two clubs."

-- UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in upbeat mood after watching Super League promoters A22's press conference following the decision.

"We represent the players and the players have already said they are unanimously against this."

-- David Terrier, president of FIFPro Europe.

"Supporters, players and clubs have already made clear they don't want a stitched-up competition -- we all want to see the trigger pulled on the walking dead monstrosity that is the European Zombie League."

-- English Football Supporters Association chief executive Kevin Miles.

"In line with its statutes, FIFA firmly believes in the specific nature of sport, including the pyramid structure –- which is underpinned by sporting merit –- and the principles of competitive balance and financial solidarity."

-- Statement by FIFA, who were also found in the wrong by the ECJ in the ruling.

"Today, more than ever, we reiterate that the 'Super League' is a selfish and elitist model. Anything that is not fully open, with direct access only through the domestic leagues, season by season, is a closed format."

-- La Liga.

"The DFL explicitly supports the European sports model and rejects competitions outside of those organised by the associations and leagues."

-- Statement by the DFL who run the Bundesliga, none of whose clubs were in the original dozen signed up to the Super League.

"To be absolutely clear, the judgment in no way whatsoever supports or endorses any form of Super League project. In short, the world of football moved on from the Super League years ago and progressive reforms will continue."

-- Statement by the European Clubs Association (ECA), which represents nearly 500 professional clubs.

"The government stood with fans when a number of clubs attempted to join a breakaway competition in 2021. We stand by that decision & in 2024 we're bringing forward legislation for a football regulator that can stop any similar attempts to do this in the future & protect the game."

-- Lucy Frazer, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

SUPER LEAGUE PROPONENTS

"Football is free. Free from the monopoly of UEFA, free to pursue the best ideas without fear of sanctions."

-- Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports Management, which was set up in late 2022 to promote the Super League after its initial failed launch in April 2021.

CLUBS LOYAL TO SUPER LEAGUE

"European club football will no longer be a monopoly. As of today, clubs will have their fate in their own hands. Ultimately, today has been another triumph for a Europe of freedom, and for football and its fans."

-- Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, one of only two clubs of the original 12 who had clung to the Super League premise.

"In a year when the club is celebrating its 125th anniversary, Barca wishes to continue to offer its experience and knowledge of different sports to propose solutions for current issues in elite sport. That is why it declares its support for the Super League, which A22 promoted."

-- Statement from Barcelona, the other club to stand by the Super League.

PREVIOUS DEFECTORS

"The European football community does not support the European Super League. Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (except for Real Madrid and Barcelona), etc. oppose the Super League."

-- Statement from Atletico Madrid one of the original dozen now against the project.

"Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions."

-- Statement from Manchester United, another of the original dozen who are now firmly in UEFA's camp.

STORY BY AFP