>> Read also: Football: EU governments, except Spain, oppose the principle of a Super League
Assuring that he has discussed with the different championshipsclubs and other actors, A22 indicated that it had modified its formula by taking into account “annual performances” in the championship to determine the participants in the competition, without further details on the participants and the calendar.
“The competition has a new name, the “Unify League“, consistent with the platform of streaming which will broadcast the matches live for free”, supposed to “significantly improve the viewing experience at home”, added A22.
This alternative project to the Champions League semi-closed competition, which almost imploded the European football in 2021, was initially supported by 12 clubs spearheaded by Real Madrid and the FC Barcelona. But the six English clubs had thrown in the towel in the face of hostility from football authorities, their supporters and the risk of legislative measures envisaged by several governments. Other clubs then also gave up.
In May 2024, a decision by the Spanish justice considered that FIFA and UEFA had “abused their dominant position” by opposing the Super League. She reiterated the reasoning that led to the ECJ to disavow UEFA and FIFA rules aimed at blocking the emergence of competing tournaments, which are legitimate if they respect the principles of inclusiveness, meritocracy and if they are integrated into the global calendar.
But UEFA reacted by emphasizing that it had designed new regulations which “are not affected by the decision”: the Madrid court “does not give third parties the right to develop competitions without authorization”, it summarized.
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