Lazio President Claudio Lotito welcomes the European Court of Justice ruling on the Super League, as UEFA ‘cannot be both a regulator and a seller,’ so this ‘could free up resources for clubs.’
The ruling was announced on Thursday, confirming that UEFA cannot fine the clubs who tried to form a breakaway league, but it does not necessarily yet mean that the alternative competition can be set up either.
“At the end of the day, the only thing that changes is where the money could end up, but my sensation is that this could free up resources for clubs,” Lotito told Il Foglio newspaper.
The harshest language in the ruling noted that UEFA ‘abused a dominant position’ in the market, and that is something the Lazio patron shares.
“Are you surprised? Have you ever seen an energy regulation authority that also buys or sells gas? No: you cannot be both a regulator and a seller, you have to be one or the other.”
However, Lotito also notes it is a long way from saying that the Super League is coming, or that it can remain a closed-door competition only for the big teams who are invited to the table – especially as it is likely Lazio would not be involved.
“First we need to all calm down, read the ruling and understand precisely what it means in legal terms, then we’ll see what to do. We must also keep in mind that we are protecting the importance of the Italian League, because we can’t just throw that out the window, can we?
“The real issue now is the money. So far, the money has flowed uphill towards the authorities. In theory, this could free up a lot of resources for the clubs. As things stand today, UEFA keep part of the money, spend part and distribute part to the clubs.”
The introduction of a new Champions League format by UEFA for next season is also not necessarily enough to convince clubs, but Lotito remains adamantly against the invite-only aspect of the Super League.
“If it is not called the Champions League, but the Super League, the fact remains we must always qualify via domestic leagues. The only thing that changes is where the money ends up.”