The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that UEFA and FIFA violated community law by vetoing the Super League, accusing them of dominant abuse. The project backs Florentino Pérez and Joan Laporta, and Madrid and Barcelona remain committed to the original idea that emerged in April 2021, now adjusted in format. It is described as open and meritocratic.
What would the competition be like?
Originally envisioned as exclusive and closed with twelve clubs, the plan evolved into a 64‑team tournament structured into three leagues, each promising at least 14 matches. All matches would be streamed free online, making access universal.
Promotions and relegations are included, so the early 2021 bid would be more flexible and would run in parallel with a reform of the Champions League initially introduced in 2019. The women’s competition would feature 32 teams divided into two leagues.
Barça president Joan Laporta described the format as open and fully meritocratic, insisting there would be no clash with UEFA or LaLiga. He called it a historic chance and said Barcelona would push for innovative approaches after moving away from the fortress-like stance that helped establish the Super League in the first place.
Plans aim to launch in the 2025-26 season, a timing that coincides with the opening of the new Camp Nou stadium.
Who was part of the project and who remains?
The only clubs left in the fold are Real Madrid and Barcelona, led by Florentino Pérez and Joan Laporta. No one else from the original twelve remains. The group initially planned for 14 clubs, but Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich departed early, openly disagreeing with the project and siding with UEFA, even adopting a confrontational stance.
Hours after the Super League announcement on a TV program, six English clubs withdrew: Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham. A couple of days later, Milan also left the project, followed by Inter in 2022 and Juventus in 2023. That left Barça and Madrid as the sole remnants.
The Super League organizers argue that English clubs did not abandon the idea entirely; rather, they joined the project’s evolution much as they did at the inception of the old European Cup.
What financial contributions could it bring?
Money plays a central role. Exact figures were not publicly disclosed by Laporta, but financial analysis suggests substantial backing could ease the current economic pressures facing the sport. Media reports have speculated ranges around hundreds of millions of euros, with a distribution that would favor the top clubs and a tiered model for others. Wage agreements remain to be determined within the framework of the competition.
For Barça, the potential windfall could strengthen its ability to navigate the modern football economy. Laporta pointed out that the plan would support both men’s and women’s football by enabling clubs to compete with those backed by nearly unlimited resources, including entities outside traditional football circles.
Ultimately, the court ruling shifts the landscape by validating a path that might redefine European club football. It is positioned as a fresh avenue for competition while respecting governing bodies, with Madrid and Barça leading the charge and championing a more open, results-driven model. (Source: El País)