On April 18, 2021, the European Super League with members of the highest caliber including Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Juventus and AC Milan. The president-designate was Florentino Perezwho quickly received inquiries from the football world.

Many fans were against this idea and asked to leave everything as it is: everyone compete in their own league and face each other in the traditional Champions League. UEFA, of course, clung to this idea for fear of losing its main competition. Faced with widespread rejection, most clubs withdrew from this new competition.

However, a legal battle led by Real Madrid and Barcelona has begun on the grounds that UEFA has a monopoly. On Thursday, December 21, 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg ruled in favor of the clubs. So, Football can take a 180º turn.

Next, Sports news presents all the details of the decision and the format of the competition.

What does the decision of the Court mean?

The meaning of the decision of the Luxembourg-based Court is clear: the groups can realize their idea without breaking any laws. Real Madrid, Barcelona and all interested parties are able to create their own competition, with their own rules and calendars. Will it materialize? That remains to be seen. Although there is a lot of excitement about this…

The tournament is promoted by the company A22, which for years has taken the position that UEFA keeps money at the expense of the clubs. Its CEO, Bernd Reichart, confirmed this once again: “UEFA runs a system where they take no financial risk and the clubs take all the financial risk.”

And I add: “We have won the right to compete. UEFA’s monopoly has ended. Football is free. Now clubs will no longer suffer threats and sanctions. They are free to decide their future.” At the same time, he left the message that all matches will be broadcast for free.

“This day will mark a before and after. It is a great day for the history of football and for the history of sport.”#Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/YllFGQuyQD

— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) December 21, 2023

UEFA spoke in a statement about the decision and indicated that they are not concerned about the situation. Or not for now. “This decision does not mean approval or validation of the so-called Super League, but highlights a historical shortcoming within UEFA’s previous approval framework, a technical aspect that was already recognized and addressed in June 2022. UEFA is confident of the stability of their its new rules and, in particular, that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.

“UEFA remains resolute in its commitment to support the European football pyramid, ensuring it continues to serve the wider interests of society. We will continue to shape the European sporting model collectively with associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners”, continuous.

The responses of Real Madrid and Barcelona after the decision of the Court

Two of the big beneficiaries of the decision were Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​who are continuing with their intentions to organize a parallel competition. And they did not hide their satisfaction for this moment. “We welcome the decision of the CJEU with enormous satisfaction. In the coming days we will carefully study the scope of this great historical significance. European football will never be a monopoly and from today the clubs will be the masters of their own destiny. We see ourselves able to promote the contests we consider. The Europe of liberties triumphed.” wrote Florentino Pérez.

Chairman @JoanLaportaFCB assesses the Super League decision pic.twitter.com/cvTpilQ8a2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) December 21, 2023

Meanwhile, the Catalan club issued a statement: “Barcelona would like to express its satisfaction with the decision of the CJEU approving the Super League project proposed by A22 Sports. As one of the driving entities of the Super League, Barcelona considers the decision to pave the way for a new organization with the highest level of football in Europe, demonstrating against the figure of monopoly in the world of football, and wants to offer a proposal for a dialogue about what the European competition model of the future should be.

What did the football world say about the Justice’s decision?

• He president of the Italian Football Federation, Gabriele Gravinahe was firm and explained that clubs joining the European Super League would no longer compete in domestic football. “We cannot prevent membership, but the choice, if it happens, must be very clear. It is unthinkable to play two or three leagues in a number of different organizations. We are already fighting internally for the available dates.”he explained.
• Karl-Heinz Rummeniggeformer general manager of Bayern Munich and current member of the UEFA Executive Committee, said: “It won’t go very far. 30 years ago the system would have embraced innovation, now it’s different. The British, the Germans and the French would never get involved. I think neither would the Italians and the Spanish, unless there is some president who thinks he can lie down and wake up the next day in the middle of gold.
• The League, for its part, sent a strong message on social networks: “Today more than ever we remember that the Super League” is a selfish and elitist model. “Any format that is not completely open, with direct access, year after year, through domestic leagues, is a closed model.”

⚖️ Today more than ever we remember that the “Super League” is a selfish and elitist model.

⚽️ Any format that is not completely open, with direct access, year after year, through domestic leagues, is a closed model.

🇪🇺 European football has already spoken. Do not insist, #EarnItOnThePitch.

— LALIGA Corporate (@LaLigaCorp) December 21, 2023

• Jaume Rouresmanager of Mediapro, explained: “Nothing will change because the project cannot be implemented. There are no French and Germans and I doubt the Italians will be there. Doing it with Barca, Madrid, Porto… makes the pigeons fly.”
• All clubs playing this Thursday in Spain, with the exception of Real Madrid, will wear a shirt against the Court’s decision.
• “The European football family does not want the European Super League. Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (with the exception of Real Madrid and Barcelona) do not want the Super League. We are in favor of protecting the big European family football, the protection of the domestic championships and that through them the qualification to the European competitions is achieved on the playing field every season”. publish it Atletico MADRID.
• Manchester Unitedthe first to talk about the Premier League: “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participating in UEFA competitions and working positively with UEFA and the Premier League.”
• Notice of Premier League: “Today’s decision does not support Super League and the Premier League continues to reject such an idea. Fans are vital to football and have repeatedly made clear their opposition to a separate competition that cuts the link between domestic football and European football. “.
• The Bundesliga issued a statement: “The DFL supports the European sports model and rejects competitions outside of those organized by federations and leagues.”
• Ligue 1 also expressed its support to UEFA following the decision: “The LFP strongly supports the competitions organized by UEFA. Nothing can replace the legitimacy, credibility and prestige of European competitions as they have been organized for more than 60 years.”

What would the Super League format look like and when would it start?

The proposal from promoter A22, a promoter of the project, would start the 2025-2026 season if it convinces, once again, a large number of clubs. Today its allies are none other than Real Madrid, Barcelona and Porto of Portugal. Below are all the details about this format.

There will be 64 clubs divided into three divisions: the Star League will have 16 teams, the Gold League as well, while the Blue League will consist of the other 32. The placement of these will be based on sporting merit with no permanent members, so there will be promotions and relegations as in any other competition.

Clubs will play home and away matches in groups of eight, a total of at least 14 matches per club per year. The competition will be from September to April, when the final phase will begin. The top four in the Star League will determine their league, same format for the Gold League. Meanwhile, in the Blue League there will be eight who will go through to the next stage.

This shows that the European Super League does not stand up to the national competitions, but rather its direct competition is the Champions League.

The European Super League will also have a women’s competition: 32 clubs divided into two categories.