UEFA cannot sanction Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus over Super League

The Swiss Justice Ministry has warned UEFA and FIFA that they cannot sanction Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus in relation to the European Super League (ESL).

After 9 of the 12 founding members abandoned the project following an unprecedented backlash, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have remained defiant by staying committed to the project. This has angered FIFA and UEFA, who have threatened the three clubs with sanctions for not backing down on the project.

Swiss magistrate says UEFA and FIFA limiting competition

However, as reported by Spanish radio broadcaster Cadena SER, FIFA and UEFA have both received a letter from the Swiss ministry, which informs them that they do not have the capacity to retaliate against the three clubs over the ESL fiasco.

In the letter, the Swiss magistrate, which has power over both governing bodies, argues that FIFA and UEFA are restricting innovation, preventing other formats, eliminating competition and limiting consumer’s choice by opposing alternatives to their own competitions.

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Question raised of UEFA/FIFA monopoly

The letter comes after Spanish Judge Manuel Ruiz de Lara, who had already passed a ruling on the case in the Spanish Court of Justice, brought the matter to the EU Court of Justice, in which he posed the question as to whether UEFA and FIFA are holding a monopoly on the sport.

Meanwhile, in response to AS's request for a comment, a UEFA spokesperson said that UEFA had “no comments to make on the matter”, nor were they willing to clarify if the European governing body had received the letter from the Swiss magistrate.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin's position continues to be very critical towards the three dissident clubs, against whom UEFA opened a disciplinary file in late May. The process is underway and a verdict could be reached in the next few days.