FC Bayern's CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, once again spoke out against the Super League, reiterating his stance following a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Dreesen, who serves as Vice-Chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), emphasized that government-led leagues are the lifeblood of European football clubs and it's their duty to bolster them instead of weakening them. Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) experienced a setback in their Super League dispute when the ECJ ruled in Luxembourg.
According to the ECJ, FIFA and UEFA cannot control other competitions or keep clubs and players from joining other leagues. The court appears to welcome the Super League without endorsing it, as the rules of the associations lack sufficient transparency, objectivity, and fairness. FIFA and UEFA's exclusive control of competition rights could potentially limit competition within the European Union, jeopardizing their position as dominant market players.
Dreesen and FC Bayern remain adamantly opposed to the Super League, seeing it as a threat to the importance of national leagues and the fundamental structure of European football. The 56-year-old executive emphasized that the Bundesliga – FC Bayern's home league – is essential to his club and strengthening it should be the primary objective.
The ruling represents a significant shift in UEFA's power to regulate football competitions in the European Union. As a result, private equity firms and other business interests may have the opportunity to shape the future of European sports. For UEFA, this means reforming their regulatory system to comply with EU competition laws and potentially facing challenges to other aspects of their organizational framework, such as their transfer regulations.
