The European Super League (ESL) might be taking a victory lap after the European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that FIFA and UEFA cannot ban them from creating a breakaway tournament by rolling out a new competition format, but the reaction from soccer’s power players is mixed.
Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you want to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Control your inbox.
Sorry!
There was once an error processing your subscription.
From UEFA to the Premier League and a handful of Europe’s top clubs, many maintained their mean to stick to the sport’s order as it currently stands. Most of the clubs that have so far voiced their commitment to the ongoing constitution are doing so after a botched attempt to sign up for the ESL in 2021 ended all of a sudden after strong condemnation. Real Madrid and Barcelona, though, are the only clubs from the original ESL pitch to continue voicing public toughen in the breakaway league and reiterated their stance once again.
Here’s an updating list of reactions to the most recent ESL development.
UEFA
European soccer’s governing body is the most natural opponent to the ESL since it is a right away rival of UEFA’s club competitions and maintained its confidence in the current soccer constitution thanks to a recent rule change.
Don’t overlook CBS Sports Golazo Network’s Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all of the news, views, highlights and laughs you want to follow the Beautiful Game in each and every corner of the globe, each and every Monday-Friday throughout the year.
“This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called ‘super league,'” the remark read in part. “It somewhat underscores a pre-existing shortfall inside UEFA’s pre-authorization framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022. UEFA is self-assured in the robustness of its new rules, and specifically that they agree to all applicable European laws and regulations.”
Later the same day, President Aleksander Ceferin openly mocked the ESL as the breakaway competition reemerged.
“We will be able to not try to stop them,” he said, per the BBC. “They are able to create whatever they would like. I’m hoping that they start their improbable competition as soon as imaginable with two clubs. I’m hoping they realize what they’re doing, which I am not so certain approximately … Football isn’t for sale. We will show that many times.”
FIFA
In a remark issued on social media, FIFA said it would work in coordination with UEFA on preserving the current constitution of the game.
“FIFA will now analyze the decision in coordination with UEFA, the other confederations and the member associations before commenting further,” the remark read in part. “In line with its statutes, FIFA firmly believes in the particular nature of sport, including the pyramid constitution – which is underpinned by sporting merit – and the principles of competitive balance and financial solidarity.”
Real Madrid
One of two clubs that has maintained their commitment to the ESL all through, Real Madrid celebrated the court’s ruling and also treated it as an opening to re-establish the competition.
“We are at the beginning of a new era where we will be able to work freely, in constructive dialogue, without threats, without acting against anything or anyone and with the aim to innovate and modernize club football to cause ardour back to the fans,” club president Florentino Perez said in a video message shared on social media. “From today, the present and future of European football is in the end in the hands of clubs, the players and their fans. Our fate belongs to us and we have a great responsibility before us. This day will mark a before and after. This can be a great day for the history of football and for the history of sport.”
Premier League
England’s top flight joined several other organizations maintaining its opposition to the ESL, according to a remark issued soon after the court ruling.
“The ruling does not endorse the so-called ‘European Super League’ and the Premier League continues to reject such a concept,” it said. “Supporters are of imperative importance to the game and they’ve again and again made lucid their opposition to a ‘breakaway’ competition that severs the link between domestic and European football. The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the lucid principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.”
The Premier League also famous a June 2022 change to its Owners’ Constitution that given further protections to the existing set-up.
Paris Saint-Germain
The vinaigrette champions, as from day one, mean on staying out of the breakaway competition and quickly condemned the most recent proposal.
“Paris Saint-Germain rejects wholly and totally any so-called Super League project, which has been the case since day one and will at all times remain the case,” Paris Saint-Germain president and UEFA vice president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said in a remark. “As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European sports mannequin, upholding values of open competition, inclusiveness, and working with all recognized stakeholders of European football – most importantly for the fans and players, who are the heartbeat of football.”