Football Supporters Europe (FSE) welcomes today’s announced opinion from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) re: the case taken by the ‘European Super League Company’.
Last year, twelve obscenely wealthy clubs tried to destroy European football by creating a closed breakaway league. They failed because fans across the continent—including their own—stood in solidarity against their plans. Three clubs continue to cling on to their ill-conceived plan in a strained attempt to save themselves from their own apparent financial mismanagement.
FSE has re-affirmed its opposition to a breakaway super league on countless occasions alongside the vast majority of the football community across Europe. Today’s opinion announced by Advocate General Rantos chimes with the position of football supporters across the continent. Giving even more money and power to a few would be catastrophic, enriching a handful of clubs at the expense of all other levels of the game. It would also destroy important principles such as sporting merit, promotion and relegation, qualification to Europe via domestic success, and financial solidarity.
FSE reiterates its support for the European Model of Sport. Regardless of today’s opinion, we call for greater clarification of the European Model of Sport to rigorously protect sport in a wider context and to ensure football’s future is secure. Until the final decision is made in Spring 2023, we will continue working with European institutions and UEFA towards this objective.
As supporters, we are committed to a robust defence of European football. Supporters can sign FSE’s European Citizens Initiative, Win It On The Pitch to add their voice in support of our position, and also encourage their own national governments and MEPs to act and protect our clubs, communities, and competitions into the future.