Barcelona and Real Madrid have reacted positively to the ruling made by the European Court of Justice that UEFA and FIFA were wrong to ban clubs from joining breakaway competitions, such as the proposed European Super League, MySportDab reports.
The two Spanish giants, who were among the founders of the Super League project and who are now the only two who remain openly committed to it, both issued statements supporting the court’s decision.
“FC Barcelona wishes to express its satisfaction with the sentence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) assessing the Super League project as proposed by A22 Sports,” Barcelona wrote, needing the cash injection from a possible breakaway tournament to help their precarious financial situation.
“As one of the clubs driving the Super League project, FC Barcelona feels that the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe by opposing the monopoly over the football world, and wishes to initiate new discussions on the future direction of European competitions.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez also issued a statement saying, “we welcome with enormous satisfaction the decision adopted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values, and freedoms.”
“In the coming days, we will carefully study the scope of this resolution, but I do anticipate two conclusions of great historical significance. Firstly, that European club football is not and will never again be a monopoly. And secondly, that from today the clubs will be the masters of their destiny,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, UEFA have issued a statement confirming the court ruling followed lapses in the structure of European club competitions which has been amended to make the game serve the broader interests of the society.
They also described their model of European club competitions as irreplaceable and needs to be safeguarded by threats of breakaways.
Manchester United seems to play down the European Super League project reiterating their commitment to European club competitions, and cooperation with UEFA and national football league associations.
