Super League warns UEFA: it will take legal action if threats to clubs continue

The Super League gave a harsh warning to UEFA because it understands that Europe’s highest body is hindering its movements to attract clubs to its competition based on interference and threats of punishment if they express themselves in the sense of joining the competition led by FC Barcelona and the real Madrid.

It is through a letter that A22 was sent to UEFA where it ordered the European body to stop its maneuvers to block the clubs speaking to Super League, that they say they have enough evidence. In the letter, A22 warning UEFA that if they do not stop this attitude, he will take legal action to protect his rights and the affected clubs. All this has the protection of the judgment of European Court of Justice last December 21 according to which there can be no monopoly when organizing competitions and contests, giving free rein to Super League because European clubs who want to join it can do so freely.

A22 the president of UEFA is already complaining, Alexander Ceferin“is publicly cited – and distorted – a letter in which we demand UEFA which obeys the laws of EU and judicial resolutions, and end its ongoing actions aimed at hindering the activities of A22. As we lead a public dialogue on the future of European club football, in the letter we demand that UEFA immediately cease and desist anti-competitive behavior aimed at excluding A22 from the European club competition market.”

This is the full letter from A22 to UEFA

Dear Sirs,
We are writing to express our deep concern about UEFA’s behavior towards the business initiatives of A22 Sports Management, SL (“A22”). This behavior has already caused material damage to the A22 (and other parts), damage that continues to mount.

A22’s business is related to the design, promotion and organization of, among other things, interclub competitions of European football clubs. A22 has the right to carry out these activities without limitation except by applicable laws. In particular (as you already know), A22’s business includes advising the European Super League Company, SL (the “Super League
Company”) and any other party it deems appropriate from time to time, in those projects
will be able to compete in the market in competitions promoted by UEFA.

Since April 2021, UEFA’s anti-competitive behavior and actions towards A22 (supported by
several federations and national leagues acting in coordination with UEFA), are aiming to frustrate A22’s commercial initiatives. Such actions are varied and general. These include the constant and unacceptable tarnishing of A22’s reputation in the media and elsewhere and the pressure and threats from European clubs behind the
scenes to prevent them from considering potential projects involving A22 and pressure them
express their public support for UEFA competitions.

These actions have a common goal: to exclude A22 from the European market of competitions where UEFA has a monopoly. UEFA uses this type of measures in blatant violation of the precautionary measure issued in April 2021 for the benefit of the Super League and its participants, a judicial injunction issued by the court of first instance and subsequently modified by the Provincial Court of Madrid on appeal in January 2023. The terms of the protection remedy are clear, precise and attached in Appendix 1 for your reference.

In addition to disregarding a valid court order, UEFA’s conduct and abuse of its dominant position also had the effect of inducing some counterparts to breach private contracts, which is a clear and classic example of very difficult interference, as well as violation of the competition law of the European Union law.

As stated in the very clear decision handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union on December 21, 2023 in the case of Superliga Empresa /A22 vs. UEFA/FIFA (the “CJEU Judgment”), A22 has the indisputable right to operate freely in the European Union on equal terms with UEFA regarding the organization of football competitions.

Considering the aforementioned order and the decision of the CJEU, we are surprised to see that UEFA has continued, and even intensified, its anti-competitive behavior towards A22 at all.
and we have ample evidence of UEFA’s behavior and the threats of sanctions directed at some European clubs.

We therefore demand that UEFA and its executives, with immediate effect a) cease and desist any form of anti-competitive action against A22, its business.
initiatives, its partners and directors, and b) instruct any third party affiliated to UEFA or acting under its influence or direction (including, but not limited to, national leagues and national federations) to do the same . The ongoing anti-competitive actions taken by UEFA with the ultimate aim of excluding competitors such as A22 from the European market for interclub competitions are unlawful and will compound the substantial damages suffered by UEFA as result of its past actions.

We fully reserve all rights to take appropriate action in all relevant jurisdictions against UEFA and, if applicable, and the relevant UEFA executives, seeking both remedial measures and appropriate compensation for material damage already caused by such anti-competitive conduct. continues to cause A22, its projects and its partners.