Baku, February 1, AZERTAC

The 12 clubs involved in the European Super League project have had their protection against any UEFA sanctions restored, at least until the European Court of Justice rules on the case later this year, according to Independent.ie.

An injunction was filed in a Madrid court at the time the hugely controversial league was founded in April 2021 on behalf of the clubs, preventing UEFA or FIFA taking any action against them or their players for being involved.

In April last year that injunction was overturned, but has now been restored following further proceedings in the Spanish capital this month.

The ECJ is set to rule later this year on whether UEFA and FIFA abused a dominant position under European competition law by first blocking the creation of the Super League and then seeking to sanction the clubs involved.

UEFA and FIFA rules allowing them to block such competitions from operating under their auspices were found to be compatible with EU law by the Advocate General in the case last month, but his opinion is non-binding.

But at least until the legal proceedings at the ECJ are complete, the Super League clubs – which include the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ – cannot be sanctioned by UEFA.

The Madrid court decision was welcomed by A22, a company formed to sponsor and assist with the creation of a European Super League.

Its chief executive Bernd Reichart said: “We welcome the fact that this court decision allows A22 to freely continue the project of creating a new and exciting European football competition.

The Madrid court said UEFA’s insistence that its conduct towards the Super League clubs was motivated by a desire to protect the European sports model of open competition was “a flimsy excuse”.

It said the steps UEFA and FIFA had taken were “obstacles typical of closed and anachronistic models that are not in line with free competition”.

UEFA issued a statement acknowledging the Madrid court judgement.

“UEFA notes that this decision recognises the overriding significance of the proceedings pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), in Luxembourg,” the statement read.

“The main proceedings before the Commercial Court in Madrid are currently suspended pending the decision of the CJEU.

“Following the CJEU Advocate General’s unequivocal opinion in support of UEFA’s central mission to govern European football, UEFA now awaits the CJEU’s judgment, which will then be notified to the Commercial Court in Madrid so it can be applied in the main proceedings.”

A date has yet to be confirmed for the Grand Chamber of the ECJ to issue its final ruling in the case, which cannot be appealed.