Football unites behind the European sports model
Friday, December 22, 2023
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Within hours of Thursday's European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment on the Super League case, clubs, leagues, stakeholders and fan associations voiced their unanimous support for the principles of the European sports model.
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STAKEHOLDERS
European Commission
Europe's core principle is solidarity. Our consistent support of a values-driven European sports model is non-negotiable. European football will always remain a vector of inclusion and cohesion. For the many. Not only the elites.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission
ECA will continue to work with UEFA, FIFA and all recognised stakeholders of football to develop the game positively and progressively – founded on the principles of sporting meritocracy, inclusiveness, open competition and genuine solidarity. These principles are at the heart of ECA, and at the core of the European sports model, on which all levels of the pyramid benefit and prosper.
The decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union should not change the stance of those who advocate for football in its true essence: a passionate sport where everyone has the right to dream, to exceed expectations on the field, to grow.
The European Leagues advocates for an open competition model, where qualification for European club competitions is determined by annual performance in domestic competitions. There are fundamental principles that should not be questioned: domestic competitions are the foundation of fans' passion and must, therefore, be protected. The right to progress through various competitive levels, played out and earned on the field, encompasses another essential guarantee, that of solidarity in financing the development of future talent.
This is the football we defend and will continue to defend, in collaboration with all stakeholders whose mission is to ensure the true essence of football.
Pedro Proença, President of the European Leagues
FIFA
With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today's judgement does not change anything, really.
Historically, we have been organising the best competitions in the world and this will also be the case in the future.
We will continue to deliver the world's most spectacular, competitive and meaningful tournaments and use our revenues to develop football in every corner of the globe through solidarity programmes that ensure the less privileged benefit from those top competitions.
FIFA will continue to do so, as always, in close cooperation with our Member Associations, with the Confederations and with all the stakeholders of football for the exclusive benefit of our game – globally. All together!
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
FIFPRO
Today's decisions by the European Court of Justice present an important moment to strengthen the role of player rights in sport and reaffirm the solidarity-based European football pyramid.
Football Supporters Europe
The European supporters’ movement remains united in strong opposition to any super league proposal, regardless of how it is repackaged. We will not let its promoters fool us that much has changed with their latest get rich quick scheme. Their aim remains to ensure a few select clubs receive the relative certainty of playing European football each year as well as the revenue that would bring. Participation in European club competitions is and must always be based 100% on sporting merit each season, without exception.
CLUBS
Arsenal Football Club notes the judgement by the European Court of Justice on Thursday, 21 December 2023 and our position in relation to the European Super League has not changed. We will continue to play in UEFA competitions and continue to work with fellow European clubs and the ECA.
Following the decision of the European Court of Justice, AS Monaco would like to express its full commitment to the principle of sporting merit which governs UEFA competitions and the French championship.
AS Monaco will continue to work with the Ligue 1 clubs within the Ligue de Football Professionnel, and with other clubs through the ECA, in order to participate progressively and collectively in the development of football.
The European football community does not support the European Super League. Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (except for Real Madrid and Barcelona), etc. oppose the Super League. We advocate protecting the broader European football family, preserving domestic leagues, and securing qualification for European competitions through on-field performance each season.
The club in no way endorses any so-called Super League project that would present an unacceptable attack on the importance of the national leagues and the foundations of European football.
AS Roma believes that European football's future well-being can only be secured through clubs working together through ECA in strong partnership and collaboration with UEFA and FIFA.
We acknowledge the decision of the European Court of Justice. But neither the fans nor most of the clubs want another club competition in addition to the national leagues and UEFA competitions. The current football ecosystem with FIFA, UEFA and the national leagues is good and functions well. Improvements should come from within the current system. The so-called Super League has no prospect of success without the support of European clubs including Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund will examine the ECJ's judgment in detail as soon as the full grounds for the ruling are made available to us. However, we are already convinced that conclusions to be drawn from the ECJ's ruling do not correspond to those that are currently circulating in the media. In its press release, the ECJ made it clear, among other things, that the decision does not mean that a competition such as the Super League must necessarily be allowed. For Borussia Dortmund, one thing holds true entirely independently of the discussions surrounding the verdict: we are not available for a Super League.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Chairman of the Board
This does not change FC Bayern's and the ECA's position that such a competition would be an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the structure of European football. The Bundesliga is the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues are the foundation of other European football clubs. It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them. We are also committed to the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA. So let me make it very clear once again that the door for the Super League remains closed at FC Bayern.
Celtic Football Club has noted today's judgement delivered by the European Court of Justice. The resolution regarding the framework for prior authorisation of other competitions refers to outdated UEFA statutes that were already amended in June 2022. We must be clear that this does not in any way endorse or approve the so-called 'Super League' project. Celtic plays an important, leading role within the European Club Association framework and as a club, we are fully committed to working through the ECA, alongside our fellow European clubs to uphold the values that define European football. We can only achieve our objectives through the strong partnership ECA enjoys with UEFA. The wider European football community is not supportive of the ESL, and Celtic, like many other clubs, will continue to promote the interests and protection of football's broader family through the ECA and UEFA.
The judgment issued by the European Court of Justice does not change Chelsea FC's position. We firmly believe that, by working with the Premier League, The FA, other European clubs through our strong relationship with the ECA, and with UEFA and FIFA, we can, together, continue to develop the European game for the benefit of everyone.
F.C. Copenhagen takes note of the judgment delivered by the ECJ on the ESL case, which in no way endorses any Super League project. As a club, we remain 100% committed to working through ECA alongside our fellow European clubs to uphold the values that define European football.
FC Salzburg reiterates the position that a sustainable future of European football can only be secured through the cooperation of clubs through the ECA in close partnership with UEFA and FIFA. We are clearly committed to the values of the European football community. This includes maintaining national leagues and securing qualification for European competitions through performance on the pitch. Furthermore, we currently only see this ruling by the European Court of Justice as a legitimisation, but not an inevitable introduction of the Super League, which we as a club do not support in any way.
#HJK takes note of the judgment delivered by the ECJ on the ESL case, which in no way endorses any Super League project.
As a club, we remain 100% committed to working through @ECAEurope alongside our fellow European clubs to uphold the values that define European football.
FC Internazionale Milano reiterates its firm belief that the future of European football can only be secured by collaboration between clubs within the ECA and in partnership with UEFA and FIFA. As clubs, we remain rooted in the values that characterise the European sports model. We commit ourselves to working together with all the other clubs belonging to the ECA to support these principles.
In light of today's CJEU judgment, we would like to emphasise that as Lech Poznań we remain 100% committed to cooperation through ECA and @UEFA with other European clubs to uphold the values that define football in Europe.
Legia Warsaw takes note of the judgment delivered by the ECJ on the ESL case, which in no way endorses any so-called Super League project. As a club, we remain 100% committed to working through @ECAEurope alongside our fellow European clubs to uphold the values that define European football. This will only be achieved through the strong partnership ECA enjoys with UEFA.
In light of today's ECJ Judgment relating to the European Super League case, @OfficialBlues wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to the values that underpin the European Sports Model and to ECA's role alongside UEFA in bringing excitement and joy to millions of fans from across the world through the UEFA Club Competitions. There will be no so-called Super League and we will continue to support ECA, UEFA and others striving to develop the football pyramid at all levels.
Yesterday's ruling by the European Court of Justice does not change Liverpool FC's previous stance on a proposed European Super League. Our involvement has been discontinued. We will continue to work with fellow clubs through the ECA and participate in UEFA competitions.
Malmö FF is an advocate of European football growing together. We want to preserve domestic leagues and secure qualification for European competitions through performances on the pitch.
Manchester City Football Club confirmed in 2021 that it had formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.
Our position has not changed. We remain committed to the values of European football, and we will continue to work with fellow clubs through the ECA and participate in UEFA competitions.
Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.
Paris Saint-Germain totally and utterly reject any plans for a so-called Super League, which has been the case from day one and will always remain so.
As a proud European body, PSG support the principles of the European sporting model, the values of sporting merit and inclusion, and works with all known stakeholders in European football – above all with the fans and players, who are at the heart of football.
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Paris chairman
İstanbul Başakşehir FK takes note of the judgment delivered by the ECJ on the ESL case, which in no way endorses any so-called Super League project. As İstanbul Başakşehir FK, we remain 100% committed to working through ECA alongside our fellow European clubs to uphold the values that define European football. This will only be achieved through the strong partnership ECA enjoys with UEFA.
https://www.realsociedad.eus/es/noticias/detalle/comunicado-oficial-20
We share and support the assessment of ECA and UEFA.
AC Sparta Prague takes note of the judgment of the European Court of Justice in the ESL case, which in no way approves the Superliga project. We remain 100% committed to working through the ECA alongside other clubs to defend and promote the values that define European football.
https://villarrealcf.es/la-sentencia-del-tjue-no-avala-la-superliga-europea/ (In Spanish)
FANS ASSOCIATIONS
Football Supporters Association
There is no place for an ill-conceived breakaway super league. Supporters, players and clubs have already made clear they don't want a stitched-up competition – we all want to see the trigger pulled on the walking dead monstrosity that is the European Zombie League. While the corpse might continue to twitch in the European courts, no English side will be joining. The incoming independent regulator will block any club from competing in domestic competition if they join a breakaway super league. Success must be earned on the pitch, not stitched up in boardrooms.
Football Supporters Association chief executive Kevin Miles
We stand in solidarity with our fellow fans across the continent, united in opposition to those who want to hoard even more money at the top of our game.
Aficiones Unidas
Association Nationale des Supporters
Chelsea Supporters’ Trust
Danske Fodboldfans
Girona FC
Supporterscollectief Nederland
Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association
Manchester United Supporters Trust (M.U.S.T)
LEAGUES
Deutsche Fussball Liga
The European Court of Justice has confirmed that criteria for the authorisation of other competitions outside the association pyramid of the European sports model must be transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate – this is understandable and was to be expected. UEFA and FIFA are required to review their criteria, which have already been further developed, accordingly, adapt them if necessary and apply them lawfully. The ECJ also clarified in the press release that the ECJ's decision does not mean that a competition such as the Super League must necessarily be authorised. The legality of the Super League is a separate issue.
La Ligue Football Professionel
Following the ruling from the European Court of Justice, the Ligue de Football Professionnel reasserts its strong commitment to UEFA competitions. The principles of meritocracy that govern European football are fundamental.
Premier League
The ruling does not endorse the so-called "European Super League" and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept. Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a "breakaway" competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.
The Premier League reiterates its commitment to the clear principles of open competition that underpin the success of domestic and international club competitions.
Swiss Football League
The Swiss Football League consistently adheres to the basic principle that access to European club competitions should be organised exclusively based on performance in the national competitions.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Albanian Football Association
Austrian Football Association
Croatian Football Federation
Football Association of the Czechia
Danish Football Association (DBU)
Football Association of Finland
French Football Association
Georgian Football Federation
Italian Football Association
Football Federation of Kosovo
Latvian Football Association
Malta Football Association
Football Association of Moldova
Football Association of Norway
Portuguese Football Association
Romanian Football Association
Scottish Football Association
Football Association of Serbia
Football Association of Slovenia
Turkish Football Association
Swedish Football Association