Unraveling the Super League Saga: Is UEFA's Deal with Nine Clubs Under Scrutiny?
Investigators are focusing on the business association between UEFA and nine specific clubs.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link The perplexing Super League saga continues as investigators delve into UEFA's agreement with nine clubs.
In the heart of the Super League controversy, Spain's competition authority, the CNMC, has initiated an investigation against the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). As declared by the CNMC, the focal point is a 2021 agreement between UEFA and nine football clubs, allegedly preventing them from participating in rival competitions. The probe came about following a complaint lodged by marketing agency A22, long-term planners of a European Super League.
The CNMC's investigation increases the heat, scrutinizing possible infractions of competition law. The statement indicates that UEFA supposedly "ensured these clubs complied with these restrictions" through a series of measures after issuing threats of exclusion from UEFA tournaments.
The UEFA responded, stating that it continues to collaborate with the CNMC to resolve this matter. The association remains confident in the alignment of the 2021 agreements with Spanish and EU competition law.
German Clubs Tread Cautiously on Super League
Back in December, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the UEFA couldn't impede rival competitions with threats of sanctions. In the ECJ's verdict, UEFA's monopolistic stance was deemed incompatible with European competition law.
Football "It Was a Mistake, I Never Would've Agreed..." Football Executive Sounds Alarm over "Club Oligarchy" The first endeavor to introduce a Super League fell flat in 2021, as initial supporters abruptly withdrew under the pressure of fans, sponsors, and politics. German top clubs have repeatedly voiced their disapproval of a Super League.
Since then, A22 has spearheaded the movement to create a Super League by submitting plans for a competiton called "Unify League" to UEFA and FIFA in December. A22 referred to the ECJ ruling to bolster their intentions.
Source: ntv.de, tsi/sid
- Uefa
- FootballEnrichment Insights:The Super League itself is not under direct scrutiny for flouting EU competition law; rather, the ongoing investigation centers on whether UEFA's actions against the Super League (addressed via agreements with nine clubs) contravened EU competition laws. The CNMC is examining if UEFA's actions, including threats of exclusion and restrictions on competition, infringed on EU regulations that protect market competition and tournament organization. The investigation stemmed from a complaint lodged by A22, aiming to introduce a Super League. The main issue appears to be UEFA's methods against the Super League, rather than the Super League itself violating competition laws.
- The European Union's investigators are exploring whether UEFA's 2021 agreement with nine football clubs, aimed at preventing them from participating in rival competitions such as the Super League or European Leagues, may have violated European competition law.
- The ongoing scrutiny of UEFA's actions against the Super League from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) focuses on whether their measures, including threats of exclusion and restrictions on competition, conformed with the European Union's regulations that safeguard market competition and tournament organization within sports, particularly football.
