Super League: the opening of a new era of European football or a decision that “changes nothing”?

It was on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, that the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued an expected decision on the dispute between the Super League and the Union of European Associations (UEFA) and the International Football Federation (FIFA).

The CJEU ruled on Thursday, December 21 that UEFA and FIFA in 2021 had implemented a monopoly that contravenes European competition law. from international competitions.

From this point of view, the court decided in favor of the Super League promoters. However, the “long night” of football should not fall: The advent of a European separatist competition still remains hypothetical.

The Super League started on Sunday evening in April 2021 at midnight. In a press release, twelve of the continent’s biggest clubs – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus of Turin – announced the creation of a quasi-closed league aimed at “Save Football”And above all, to maximize your income. Faced with protests from supporters, institutions and politicians, the project collapsed in less than forty-eight hours.

Threats of sanctions lobbed by national leagues and federations have also improved the wishes of most rebel groups, which have quickly come to terms. But the private league sea serpent that will replace the Champions League – and which has been around for more than two decades – continues to exist. especially at the legal level.

Competition project for 64 clubs

Following the CJEU ruling, A22 Sports Management, the semi-private league promoter, announced the upcoming launch with much fanfare.“New Open European Competition”with “64 clubs divided into three leagues” – and 32 clubs are divided into two leagues for its female version.

He welcomes the decision he has “End the monopoly of UEFA”Germany’s Bernd Reichardt, its CEO, presented a new version far removed from the first Super League. This was not included “No permanent members” And there would be a promotion-relegation system – at least to some extent.

The one who has embodied the face of the competition since October 2022, which has been criticized in the past for its lack of transparency, has not revealed anything about the calendar. And he declined to name the clubs potentially interested in the adventure – his detractors protest that almost none, apart from Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​are the ultimate “survivors” of the original project.