The European football governing body, UEFA has halted its disciplinary proceedings against the remaining founders of the European Super League – Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Juventus.
The football governing body decided to halt its disciplinary action against the three clubs because a court in Madrid ruled in April 2021 that UEFA could not take any disciplinary action against the founders of the European Super League.
In the submission of the court, if UEFA takes any action against the European Super League, such action would counter the European free trade laws.
The ruling of the court in Madrid has been taken to the European Court of Justice which has been given the obligation to determine whether UEFA has the right to go against free trade laws.
In the same vein, a judge in Madrid has also asked UEFA to end every disciplinary action against Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Juventus.
In obedience to the court ruling, UEFA announced on Monday that its disciplinary proceeding against the last three founders of the European Super League would no longer continue.
Recall that earlier in the year, 12 top clubs announced a proposed breakaway league known as the European Super League. The potential money-spinning league was seen as a threat to competitive European club football.
Hence, football stakeholders, fans, government officials, football administrators, and many others spoke firmly against the introduction of the league.
Due to the pressure against the establishment of the league, 9 of the league’s founding members – Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Inter Milan withdrew from the plan.
Despite the pressure from different angles, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Juventus refused to bow out from the proposed European Super League.
Hence, UEFA commenced a disciplinary proceeding against the three clubs and slammed monetary fines on the other 9 clubs that bowed out of the league.
Due to the court rulings against the disciplinary proceeding, UEFA has decided to wave off the financial punishment against the 9 clubs and halt its proceeding against the other three clubs.
UEFA however insisted that it would not hesitate to take action against any move that might lead to the introduction of a breakaway league in the future.
“Uefa maintains its view that it has always acted by not only its statutes and regulations but also with EU law, the European Convention on Human Rights, and Swiss law in connection with the so-called Super League project. Uefa remains confident in and will continue to defend its position in all the relevant jurisdictions,” it said in a statement.
“Uefa will continue to take all necessary steps, in strict accordance with national and EU law, to defend the interests of Uefa and all football stakeholders.”
One of the protesters outside Manchester United stadium Old Trafford says the protest "isn't just about the European Super League", adding that the Glazer family, which has controlled the club since 2005, "need to go".
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 2, 2021
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