Super League Chiefs Victorious in Court Battle
Super League chiefs have won a major court victory, paving the way for a potential breakaway competition. The Madrid Commercial Court ruled that both Uefa and Fifa were guilty of “abusing their dominant position” in their attempts to suppress the rebel league. This ruling comes after the European Court of Justice found Uefa and Fifa had acted “unlawfully” by threatening to punish the breakaway rebels and sanction players involved in the competition. The Spanish court’s decision prevents Uefa and Fifa from hindering the establishment of a new tournament.
Implications for Revenue and Participation
The court’s ruling will embolden Real Madrid and Barcelona, who view the Super League as a means to generate significantly higher revenues than those offered by the Champions League. However, Premier League clubs and their German counterparts have publicly stated their refusal to participate in any such breakaway league. Italy’s Serie A is also considering similar regulations. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham faced intense backlash from fans when they initially announced their involvement in the Super League in 2021.
New Rules and Football Regulator
Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to new rules that require them to provide three years’ notice before joining any breakaway competition. Failure to comply will result in a deduction of 30 points and substantial financial penalties. Additionally, the planned Football Regulator, which has been put on hold due to the General Election, is likely to be reintroduced to Parliament regardless of the July 4 poll outcome. This regulator will have the power to prevent clubs from participating in a competition without the consent of the FA.
Super League’s Revised Plans
Super League chiefs, along with their PR arm A22 based in Madrid, are pleased with the court’s verdict. They believe it has dealt a significant blow to Uefa. Although launching the new competition within 15 months may not be feasible, Super League officials have not ruled out aiming for that start date. In December, they unveiled a revised version of their plans, which include dividing 64 clubs into three divisions. The top tier, called the “Star” league, will consist of 16 clubs in two groups of eight. These teams will play 14 matches in the initial phase before the top four from each group progress to the quarter-finals.
Promotion and Relegation
Super League organizers claim that their scheme will incorporate some promotion and relegation. However, they admit that the initial entry list will be determined by “historical” criteria, and domestic performances from the previous season will not directly impact access to the league. This means that if the competition were to start in September, clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United could be placed in a higher tier than Aston Villa or Tottenham, despite finishing below them in the Premier League.
Conclusion
The court’s ruling in favor of Super League chiefs marks a significant victory for the breakaway competition. While some clubs are enthusiastic about the potential financial gains offered by the Super League, others have made public statements expressing their refusal to participate. The introduction of new rules and the establishment of a Football Regulator could add further obstacles to the formation of the league. However, Super League officials remain optimistic about their revised plans and the possibility of launching the tournament within the next few years.