The world of football fans has once again been shaken by the European Super League case!On December 22, the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) caused waves as if it had cast stones on the surface of a calm lake. The ruling makes a big announcement: FIFA and UEFA controls are considered to be in violation of competition law. This means that the UEFA Super League can be held independently without their approval.
As a regular fan, I was both surprised and confused by the news. The concept of the UEFA Super League is "football freedom", but can it really give us more freedom?Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports, the promoter of the European Super League, is excited to announce that they have won the right to compete. Indeed, from a legal point of view, the European Super League has won a victory. But from the point of view of the football spirit and the fans, is it really a victory?
Looking back at the origins of the European Super League, it was initiated by some of Europe's biggest clubs. In 2021, there were strong teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and the Premier League's big6. But soon, under pressure from the public and other clubs, most teams withdrew from the European Super League. So far, only Real Madrid and Barcelona are still holding on. UEFA has even penalized teams involved in the European Super League, showing a strong dissatisfaction with the competition.
The controversy of the European Super League lies not only in its challenge to the authority of FIFA and UEFA, but also in its commercial nature. The emergence of the European Super League is seen by many as a challenge to the spirit of football. Football shouldn't just be a game for a few big clubs, it should be a sporting activity that everyone can participate in. But the European Super League seems to ignore this and focus more on the distribution of economic benefits.
At the end of the day, the European Super League is driven by economic interests. Real Madrid and Barcelona are backing the European Super League, mainly because they are facing serious financial problems. According to reports, the European Super League can bring huge financial benefits to these teams. The European Super League is backed by strong financial capital, which is the main reason why it can compete with UEFA and FIFA.
But football isn't just a game of money. It's more of a cultural and emotional embodiment. The support and involvement of fans is an integral part of football. Without the support of the fans, any football match is empty. The emergence of the European Super League has aroused the opposition of many fans, which shows that it is not an ideal event in the minds of most people.
In my opinion, behind the UEFA Super League case is a struggle for markets and power, not just a competition for football itself. The court's ruling may prove the "legitimacy" of the European Super League, but it does not prove the "reasonableness" of the European Super League. The charm of football lies in its popularity and inclusiveness, rather than just serving a handful of big clubs.
So, while the UEFA Super League has a de jure victory, it still has a long way to go in the spirit of football and in the hearts of fans. I hope that no matter how the future of football develops, it will remain pure and passionate, and not be swayed by money and commerciality. After all, the true charm of football lies in every pass on the pitch, the cheers of every goal, and our eternal love for the sport.