Leagues, clubs react after court rules against UEFA in Super League fight

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Europe's top court, the European Court of Justice (ECJ), ruled on Thursday that UEFA broke EU law in blocking the rival Super League competition.

AFP Sport picks out the principal reaction to the decision:

Court ruling

"The FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful." - ECJ

Governing bodies and government reaction

"This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called 'super league'; it rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA's pre-authorisation framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022." - UEFA

"In line with its Statutes, FIFA firmly believes in the specific nature of sport, including the pyramid structure –- which is underpinned by sporting merit –- and the principles of competitive balance and financial solidarity." - FIFA

"With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today's judgement does not change anything, really. Historically, we have been organizing the best competitions in the world and this will also be the case in the future." - FIFA president Gianni Infantino

"Today, more than ever, we reiterate that the 'Super League' is a selfish and elitist model. Anything that is not fully open, with direct access only through the domestic leagues, season by season, is a closed format." - La Liga

"The ruling does not endorse the so-called 'European Super League' and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept. Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a 'breakaway' competition that severs the link between domestic and European football." - Premier League

"The DFL explicitly supports the European sports model and rejects competitions outside of those organised by the associations and leagues." - DFL, which runs the Bundesliga

"To be absolutely clear, the judgment in no way whatsoever supports or endorses any form of Super League project. In short, the world of football moved on from the Super League years ago and progressive reforms will continue." - European Clubs Association (ECA)

"The government stood with fans when a number of clubs attempted to join a breakaway competition in 2021. We stand by that decision & in 2024 we're bringing forward legislation for a football regulator that can stop any similar attempts to do this in the future & protect the game." - Lucy Frazer, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Super League proponents

"Football is free. Free from the monopoly of UEFA, free to pursue the best ideas without fear of sanctions." - Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22 Sports Management

Clubs loyal to Super League

"European club football will no longer be a monopoly. As of today, clubs will have their fate in their own hands. Ultimately, today has been another triumph for a Europe of freedom, and for football and its fans." - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

"In a year when the club is celebrating its 125th anniversary, Barca wishes to continue to offer its experience and knowledge of different sports to propose solutions for current issues in elite sport. That is why it is declaring its support for the Super League promoted by A22." - Barcelona

Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only two clubs that didn't abandon the initial Super League project.

Previous defectors

"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." - Atletico Madrid

"Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions." - Manchester United

Clubs that rejected original Super League plan

"The Bundesliga forms the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues form the foundation of European football clubs. Therefore, it is our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not weaken them. We also support the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA. So once again it's very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed." - Bayern Munich

The fan view

"There is no place in European football for a breakaway super league. Our clubs, our competitions, and our local communities need protection. Whatever comes next, the super league remains an ill-conceived project that endangers the future of European football." - Football Supporters Europe on X, formerly Twitter.