Promoters of the European Super League (ESL), A22 won their appeal in a Madrid court on Tuesday, January 31.
According to the court ruling reported by CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Super League clubs cannot be punished by UEFA or FIFA.
A22 made an appeal after the formation of ESL in April 2021, which was later overturned.
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"To claim that, outside of the UEFA and FIFA ecosystem, an independent professional soccer competition could be freely created that could compete with theirs, free from their interference, reveals the utmost naivety.
"Because the defendants have such a strong market power that from their monopoly position
they are capable of intimidating, as they have done through public statements such as those that have motivated this litigation,” part of the statement read.
It was highlighted that the main problem lay in the fact that the risk of the arbitrary use by FIFA and UEFA of their disciplinary power which can be used to discourage market operators tempted to enter into relations.
FIFA and UEFA’s argument for trying to protect the European sporting model was also thrown out by the court.
"The initiative of the entrepreneur who wants to enter into the competition is attacked by the monopolist who doesn't want it and uses power to obstruct. Possible justification of FIFA and UEFA conduct as an attempt to protect the European sporting model is, prima facie, a flimsy excuse,” the report read.
The ESL tournament was created to establish a new football league aside from the major leagues.
Top European clubs which were for the initial idea included Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus.
However, nine clubs pulled out following a backlash from the fans leading to the collapse of the league barely 48 hours after its launch.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus were the only clubs left committed to the idea.
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