The European Super League (ESL) could potentially make a comeback as Barcelona and Real Madrid have been actively fighting in court for over two years to keep the league's prospects alive, with a recent ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union possibly aiding their cause. The UK government is on the verge of passing the Football Governance Bill, which would make it illegal for clubs to join the ESL, and Brexit means clubs cannot appeal to the ECJ. German clubs have refused to join due to socio-political reasons, and English clubs cite legal and economic reasons, especially as the ESL is seen as a threat to the Premier League. A new proposal for the ESL has been announced, featuring 64 teams across three tiers—Star, Gold, and Blue leagues—with participation based on sporting merit and no permanent members, including annual promotion and relegation. The format would include 14 games per season for each team, with home and away matches, and the competition would have league and playoff phases. The women's competition would include 32 clubs across two leagues. Despite the new proposal, many clubs, including Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and PSG, have reaffirmed their commitment to UEFA competitions. Statements from various clubs have been released, rejecting the Super League and emphasizing their commitment to existing European sports models and the importance of sporting merit. The ECA official statement noted that the judgment does not support or endorse any Super League project. Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, welcomed the court's decision, while the FSA responded to the ESL case. Sevilla, FC Bayern, with CEO Dreesen, and other clubs like Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco, FC Copenhagen, Inter Milan, Real Sociedad, Atalanta, Manchester City, and Chelsea have all issued statements rejecting the Super League. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Arsenal have also commented on the ruling, with Ancelotti seeing it as a positive for everyone and Arsenal confirming their rejection of the Super League, committing to play in UEFA competitions.
Arsenal confirm rejection of #SuperLeague and say they “will continue to play in Uefa competitions”. #AFC @Arsenal 🙌 Super League cannot work without @premierleague clubs. A22 will go back to being a nice road through Surrey and Sussex.
Arsenal say their "position has not changed and will continue to play in UEFA competitions" after the European Super League ruling on Thursday 🔴 https://t.co/01QfDzEUGT
⚪️ Ancelotti on Super League: “This decision is important for football. Some clubs are not convinced but I think this can be a positive thing for everyone”. “The fact that there is no monopoly will be positive”. “Time will tell if this is a good thing”. https://t.co/LoeM3WGEHr
Man United become first club to respond to new European Super League proposal Read here 👇 https://t.co/gPCrL6Hbkk?
Super League ruling a "positive for everyone," says Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. Full quotes here @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/1oyThFWoyN
Super League SNUB: Premier League clubs reject new breakaway bid due to new laws and the vivid memory of fan outrage... despite Thursday's court victory https://t.co/Nrj5NgwB7q https://t.co/T02TYhfnB8
Chelsea have released a statement on the European Super League 🔵 #CFC https://t.co/GOHDUvrYs4
Everything you need to know about new Super League developments ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ https://t.co/WMb0ppCZsL
Breaking: Chelsea confirm European Super League stance with statement on new proposals | @BobbyVincentFL 🚨 #CFC https://t.co/GOHDUvrqCw
🚨 Chelsea confirm their position regarding the European Super League has not changed. Proposals of a new 64-team format were brought forward earlier today. #CFC https://t.co/Lcq0T2bXGi
European Super League Receives Favorable Ruling In Huge Boost For FC Barcelona And Real Madrid https://t.co/Qpn4eJsJwK
Chelsea say they’re not about to jump back on the European Super League train https://t.co/Uc3OM8TQgC
Chelsea Football Club has today released the following statement in relation to the European Super League.
🚨🔵 Official: Manchester City have rejected the Super League, club statement confirms. “Our position has not changed since 2021 — we are out of the Super League”. “We remain committed to working with fellow clubs through the ECA and to participation in UEFA competition”. https://t.co/0I0RKKknM9
🚨🔵 Manchester City have rejected the Super League, club statement confirms. “Our position has not changed since 2021 — we are out of the Super League”. “We remain committed to working with fellow clubs through the ECA and to participation in UEFA competition”. https://t.co/Utoyi4RU47
Why The European Super League Is Still A Non-Starter https://t.co/v0N4gtLAjJ
⚫️🔵 Atalanta statement confirm they are against the Super League and reject the new competition. https://t.co/JMKkCoskYs
🟡⚫️ BVB CEO Hans Joachim Watzke: “For Borussia Dortmund, regardless of the discussions surrounding the judgment, one thing is clear: we do not support a Super League”. https://t.co/7Odd1hY35h
🚨🔵 FC Copenhagen statement on Super League. “FC Copenhagen takes note of the judgment which in NO way endorses any Super League project”. “As a club, we remain 100% committed to working through ECA alongside our fellow European clubs”. https://t.co/YjYV4sXIjA
Explainer | How would the new European Super League work - and what does it mean for Premier League clubs?
🚨⚫️🔵 Inter have rejected the Super League. “FC Internazionale Milano reiterates its position that European football’s future well-being can only be secured by clubs working together through the ECA, in partnership and collaboration with UEFA and FIFA”. “As a Club, we remain… https://t.co/WDjLqgLGUn
🚨🔵⚪️ Real Sociedad have rejected the Super League — club statement confirms. https://t.co/yp4Kl3VSlh
🚨🔴⚪️ AS Monaco reject the Super League. “AS Monaco would like to express its full commitment to the principle of sporting merit which governs UEFA competitions and the French championship”. “AS Monaco will continue to work with the Ligue 1 clubs within the Ligue de Football… https://t.co/R0o4qrMT0F
🚨🔴🔵 PSG reject the Super League. “Paris Saint-Germain totally and utterly rejects any plans for a so-called Super League, which has been the case from day one and will always remain the case”. “As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European… https://t.co/n9rycr2KLz
Man United, Bayern commit to UEFA competitions after Super League verdict https://t.co/oERHKzVGq7 https://t.co/lsrjU2b6WM
"Paris Saint-Germain rejects wholly and completely any so-called Super League project, which has been the case since day one and will always remain the case. As a proud European institution, PSG supports the principles of the European Sports Model, upholding values of open… https://t.co/MRAPjj1Nec
🚨 Premier League statement. “Today’s ruling does not endorse the 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… https://t.co/2eyEzi1MGs
The @premierleague "continues to reject any such (#SuperLeague) concept". Adds in statement that "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…
🚨🟡⚫️ Borussia Dortmund reject the Super League, as club CEO Watzke confirms. “We are not available for Super League”. https://t.co/MZ9EuZW409
REVEALED: New European Super League plan would have 64 teams in three tiers with promotion and relegation - as breakaway's fresh announcement comes an hour after court rules in their favour https://t.co/xvoPCLZ0TF https://t.co/71zqWKXIZU
🗣️ "It is a great day for the history of football" Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is supportive of the prospect of a new European Super League ⚪ https://t.co/7k1N7APa1z
Any new Super League remains an absolute non-starter. English clubs won't join (for legal, financial, cultural reasons). German clubs won't join (cultural reasons). PSG won't join (status reasons). Atlético Madrid and others won't join (political reasons). It won't happen.
🚨⚪️🔴 Sevilla statement also confirms they have decided to reject the Super League. https://t.co/CgCY5es1ob
Manchester United has issued the following statement on today’s European Super League judgement. #BBCFootball #MUFC https://t.co/42Z1IfEW2T
🚨🔴 FC Bayern reject the Super League. “It’s very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed”. “Such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of domestic leagues and the statics of European football”, club CEO Dreesen says. https://t.co/j5ZLzLDVhM
Man Utd say they remain "fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions" in response to today's judgement by the European Court of Justice on the European Super League 🔴 https://t.co/R6DFDiHIko
🚨🔴 Manchester United statement on Super League. “Our position has NOT changed”. “We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the… https://t.co/leDAlStyP7
Former Super League member Man United: "Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game." https://t.co/aCSqoRGPmx
United's response to today’s European Super League judgement. #MUFC
Real Madrid and Barcelona hail Super League ruling as 'great day for football' https://t.co/cfsyiJilFk
European Super League announces new 64-team, 'sporting merit' format amid Arsenal, Chelsea ruling 🔵| #CFC https://t.co/XI6UORyeyk
Following today’s ESL ruling, the UK Government underlines that it will “shortly be bringing forward legislation that…will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future” ⬇️ https://t.co/DAQbzzrwN4
The proposal is a league system with 64 men's clubs across three leagues, with participation based on sporting merit and no permanent members. The women's competition would include 32 clubs across two leagues. #BBCFootball https://t.co/WQcc9Yjy8x
🚨⚪️ Florentino Pérez full speech on Super League. “From Real Madrid we welcome with great satisfaction the decision taken by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values and freedoms. In the coming days we will… https://t.co/rASyv1GXr5
Statement from the DFL regarding the Super League. It explicitly supports the existing European sports model & rejects competitions outside the scope of those organised by existing bodies. https://t.co/Q9q4YVkrOQ
FSA response to today's European Super League case. https://t.co/6Pvb0oCw8K
🚨🏆 Super League potential format announced. 🔢 64 teams. 📊 3 divisions (Star, Gold and Blue) with promotions and relegations. ⚽️ 14 games each season per team. 🏡 7 at home. 🛫 7 away. 🔓 It will be an open competition ⚔️ Two phases: League and playoffs. https://t.co/onKZ5vVq09
🚨🏆 ECA official statement on Super League: “The judgement in no way whatsoever supports or endorses any Super League project”. https://t.co/K6cTKrupWq
Breaking: New A22 Super League men’s plan 64 teams. 3 tiers. Star, Gold & Blue leagues “Participation based on sporting merit with no permanent members. Annual promotion & relegation between leagues. Promotion into 3rd tier Blue League … based upon domestic league performance” https://t.co/UpwWtlVTzW https://t.co/VErDqbxcEG
Breaking: New A22 Super League plan 64 teams. 3 tiers. Star, Gold and Blue leagues “Participation based on sporting merit with no permanent members. Annual promotion & relegation between leagues. Promotion into 3rd tier Blue League … based upon domestic league performance” https://t.co/1qJnAVZmvE https://t.co/VErDqbxcEG
German clubs will not join a new Super League for socio-political reasons. English clubs will not join a new Super League for legal and economic reasons — especially if it's being marketed as a "Premier League killer" on the continent. It remains a non-starter.
UK government after the Super League ruling says they will be legislating to introduce a football regulator that "will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future." https://t.co/87tuD4gNvs
Remember the UK government is about to pass a law explicitly designed to make it illegal for clubs to join the European Super League... and Brexit means they can't appeal to the ECJ. https://t.co/nfdcxlGqh8
How FIFA and UEFA European Super League court ruling impacts Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham 🔵| #CFC https://t.co/te8AUfSAZw
Any @premierleague club owner feeling emboldened to resume European Super League plotting following the ECJ ruling would be very naive. Fans - and the incoming regulator - won’t have it as it would destroy PL and pyramid. Protests, boycotts, sanctions & vilification would ensue.
Am told that the new Football Governance Bill will stop licensed clubs from joining breakaway competitions. So no chance of Premier League teams joining a rebel Super League unless they want to be thrown out of English football.
The European Super League could make a surprising return thanks to Barcelona and Real Madrid. The clubs have spent 2+ years in court fighting to keep the league's hopes alive — and a ruling this week could do so.