Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22, the company behind the Super League, offers fans to watch all the games of the new competition for free while UEFA insist the ECJ ruling ‘does not signify an endorsement or validation’ of the rebel competition.
There have already been plenty of reactions following a European Court of Justice statement claiming UEFA and FIFA are abusing a dominant position and can’t, therefore, punish clubs and players who take part in tournaments they don’t organise.
However, the ECJ also clarified that the ruling “does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved.”
This is why UEFA reacted to the verdict with a statement on their official website, claiming the ECJ decision doesn’t change their position nor the chance to create a new competition outside their rules.
“UEFA takes note of the judgment delivered today by the ECJ in the European Super League case,” the European football governing body said.
“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 is confident in the robustness of its new rules, and specifically that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.
“UEFA remains resolute in its commitment to uphold the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the broader interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sports model collectively with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners alike.
“We trust that the solidarity-based European football pyramid that the fans and all stakeholders have declared as their irreplaceable model will be safeguarded against the threat of breakaways by European and national laws.”
UEFA also said they will hold a press conference at 14:00 CET on Thursday.
On the opposite front, A22, the company behind the Super League celebrated the end of UEFA’s monopoly.
“We have won the #RightToCompete. The UEFA monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures,” said their CEO Reichart.
“For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches, for clubs: Revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed.”
An A22 press conference has been scheduled for 12:00 pm CET.