NYON, Switzerland: A day after UEFA was forced to drop its disciplinary proceedings against three clubs still linked to the still-born Super League “project”, Europe’s governing body for football on Tuesday initiated legal proceedings to remove the judge in a Spanish court case blocking its attempts to punish Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona all refused to renounce the breakaway league when the project collapsed in April following widespread fan protests.
The nine clubs that did pull out of the Super League project – Arsenal, AC Milan, Chelsea, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – were subsequently handed financial penalties by UEFA.
UEFA said in a statement that it “does not recognise the jurisdiction of the Court in Madrid” and will be making an appeal to a higher court in Madrid.
CNN reports that in May, the European Court of Justice said it had received a referral from the European Super League (ESL) that UEFA and FIFA were in “violation of EU Competition rules,” regarding the reference from the Madrid Commercial Court.
The European Court of Justice case “could create a legal earthquake with deeper implications than the ‘Bosman case,'” according to Spanish press agency EFE.
UEFA statement in full
Following its announcement yesterday (Monday) on the so-called ‘Super League’ project and the respective compliance measures UEFA has taken, UEFA reaffirms its view that it has always acted in accordance with not only its Statutes and Regulations, but also with EU law, the European Convention on Human Rights and Swiss law in connection with this so-called ‘Super League’ project. UEFA remains confident in – and will continue to defend – its position in all the relevant jurisdictions.
UEFA has always acted in good faith throughout the proceedings pending before a Court in Madrid. Accordingly – and notwithstanding that UEFA does not recognise the jurisdiction of the Court in Madrid and firmly believes that it has always acted in full compliance with the pending proceedings – UEFA has today made formal submissions to the Court in Madrid evidencing its ongoing compliance with the orders.
In addition, UEFA has filed a motion for the recusal of the judge presiding over the current proceedings as it believes there are significant irregularities in these proceedings. In line with Spanish law – and in the fundamental interests of justice – UEFA fully expects the judge in question to immediately stand aside pending the full and proper consideration of this motion.
Further, UEFA shall also be making a formal appeal to a higher court, the Provincial Court of Madrid (Court of Appeal).
UEFA will continue to take all necessary steps, in strict accordance with national and EU law, in order to defend its interests and – most importantly – those of its members and all football stakeholders.
