Spain’s competition authority, the CNMC, announced on Friday that it has launched an investigation into the UEFA, accusing it of attempting to restrict competition in European football by opposing the Super League project, supported by Real Madrid and other clubs.
The investigation follows a complaint by A22 Sports Management, promoter of the European Super League, against an agreement UEFA allegedly reached with nine European clubs “to prevent them from organising or participating in rival competitions.”
The probe also examines “a series of measures” UEFA allegedly implemented to force clubs to comply with this ban, according to the CNMC, which recalls that UEFA had threatened to “exclude the teams involved ” from its competitions.
“After analysing the information gathered," there are “indications of possible infringements,” the CNMC said, although it stressed that “the opening of this procedure does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.”
Initially supported by 12 clubs, including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the Super League aimed to rival the Champions League. The proposal almost caused an upheaval in European football when revealed in 2021.
However, six English clubs involved in the project withdrew in response to opposition from football authorities and supporters, and the threat of legislative action by several governments. This led other clubs to abandon the project.
In May 2024, Spanish courts ruled that FIFA and UEFA had “abused their dominant position” in this matter.
The European Court of Justice also found that the Super League ban was against European law.
