Man Utd, Bayern and Atletico among others reject the Super League

The European Court's ruling in favour of the European Super League project and against the way UEFA and FIFA have acted has triggered numerous reactions. 

While UEFA considers that the decision does not "signify an endorsement of the creation" of this new European elite club competition, the main founders of the competition, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have issued official statements welcoming the verdict in the case of the European Super League.

However, the ESL project is being heavily criticised, as it was after it was announced back in 2021, by those clubs who are against the creation of the competition. European elite clubs such as Manchester United, Atletico Madrid or Bayern have issued official statements rejecting the European Super League.

Man Utd full statement

"Manchester United has issued the following statement in reaction to today's judgement by the European Court of Justice on the European Super League:

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."

 

December 21, 2023

Bayern Munich full statement

"Following today's ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the Super League issue, Jan-Christian Dreesen , CEO of FC Bayern and vice-president of the European Club Association (ECA), commented as follows:

We have taken note of the ruling of the European Court of Justice. However, this does not change the attitude of FC Bayern and the ECA that such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the statics of European football. The Bundesliga forms the basis of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues form the basis of European football clubs. It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them. We also support European club competitions under UEFA's framework. So once again it is very clear: the door to the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed."

 

December 21, 2023

Atletico Madrid full statement

"Atletico Madrid, after analyzing the ruling of the European Court of Justice, would like to express the following:

1. The resolution regarding the framework for prior authorization of other competitions refers to outdated UEFA statutes that were already amended in June 2022.

2. The European Club Association (ECA) and UEFA have established a partnership that renders the consideration of UEFA as a monopoly meaningless. Through agreements within this joint venture, clubs decide 50% on the sale of sponsorship and television rights, revenue distribution, and competition formats.

3. 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 for protecting the broader European football family, preserving domestic leagues, and securing qualification for European competitions through on-field performance each season."

 

December 21, 2023