The EU’s advocate general has suggested that UEFA and FIFA may block participants in the proposed Super League, raising questions about which bodies control European football’s future.
The situation remains highly charged for the Super League. In recent hours, the EU Advocate General published his opinion on this complex case. While not binding, the opinion argues that the Super League could form its own standalone competition, yet participation in FIFA and UEFA events would require prior approval from those two governing bodies.
European law speaks out and Florentino Pérez’s Super League faces a severe setback
According to the EU’s advocate general, FIFA and UEFA have not abused their dominant position by blocking the creation of an alternative tournament with sanctions threats. The Super League coalition is currently led by three clubs—Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, and Juventus Turin—and the advocate general’s stance leaves these clubs at a clear disadvantage. The position appears to side with the established European football governance framework rather than the new league push.
A non-binding opinion, but one that challenges the Super League’s momentum
The EU advocate general states that while the European Super League Company could create its own independent league outside the UEFA and FIFA ecosystem, it cannot sustain participation in FIFA and UEFA competitions without the consent of those associations. In short, the Super League’s promoter, Florentino Pérez, faces considerable delays and legal hurdles as the situation unfolds.
It is important to note that the opinion from the EU advocate general is non-binding. However, it often aligns with the Court of Justice of the European Union’s eventual ruling, with alignment occurring in roughly eight out of ten cases.
UEFA welcomes the clear opinion
Following the release of the non-binding opinion, UEFA issued a public statement expressing satisfaction with the magistrate’s position. The organization framed it as supporting its core mission to govern European football, protect the pyramid, and promote the game across Europe. This stance underscores a preference for maintaining the established competitive structure in North American interest ranges as well.
“UEFA warmly welcomes today’s unequivocal ruling in support of our central mission to govern European football, protect the pyramid and develop the game across Europe.”
—UEFA
In summary, the EU advocate general’s view is that UEFA and FIFA do not hold an exclusive monopoly over European football. The Super League can pursue its own competition, but doing so would require permission from FIFA and UEFA to continue competing in their sanctioned events. The proposal remains a bold move promoted by Florentino Pérez and supported by Joan Laporta, shaping a high-stakes legal and strategic battle for the game’s future in North American markets as well as Europe.
Attribution: Goal