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A verdict has been reached in the European Super League case which could shape the future of the continent's football for years to come.
European football's governing body UEFA threatened to sanction the 12 clubs – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – and their players, who wanted to join the breakaway European Super League competition in April 2021.
Nine of the 12 clubs withdrew almost immediately, leaving the European Super League in tatters. But the European Court of Justice on Thursday ruled that UEFA’s rules demanding prior approval for Super League, and blocking its formation and sanctioning the clubs involved, were unlawful.
READ MORE: Revamped European Super League would see Champions League axed with decision imminent
READ MORE: John Terry asked about his Champions League group stage memories and gives knockout answer
The Grand Chamber's ruling stated both UEFA and FIFA acted against competition law. It comes as a huge boost to the future of the European Super League.
Original Super League plans represented one of the biggest changes ever made in the football calendar, threatening the future of the Champions League and the structure of the club game. It was mainly criticised for having a 'closed' format, which meant 15 founder clubs were immune from relegation.
English fans took to the streets in their thousands in the midst of the coronavirus to protest the changes. It also faced staunch opposition from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund fans, with the backlash playing a huge role in its collapse.
A22, a company formed to assist in the creation of the competition, has since drafted revised plans for a new multi-division event featuring 60 to 80 teams, which will be open to all. The company hoped that Thursday's verdict would give it the green light to push ahead with plans for a new breakaway league.
More to follow.
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