UNLAWFUL: UEFA and FIFA Ban on ‘European Super League’

Ion Saliu

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Dec 21, 2023, 5:44:10 AM12/21/23

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Axiomatics, Axiomatiques, Axiomatischen, Axiomáticos, Assiomatici, Axiomaticilor et al.:

In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has argued FIFA and UEFA broke EU law by blocking the ‘European Super League’ (ESL) and abused their dominant position in the sport.

“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. There is no framework for the FIFA and UEFA rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.”

Methinks, the fate of the ‘European Super League’ of soccer is highly (or grossly!) dependent on the betting (bookie) business. Would ESL provide upsets on the scale of, say, recent results of Barcelona against Shakhtar or Antwerp? That’s where the BIG MONEY comes from (for the bookies, that is).

Betting business is “dead in the water” without upsets (“unpredictable” outcomes). Football (a.k.a. soccer) is “dead in the water” without betting.

From:
• https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/european-super-league-eu-court-rules-uefa-ban-unlawful/ar-AA1lQ0iB?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=f4f8a89da86240e3821633729d77fe8e&ei=11

Ion “Axiomatic Parpaluck” Saliu
Founder of Philosophical Science of Betting
• https://saliu.com/betting.html
• https://saliu.com/bookie-lottery-software.htm

Futbolmetrix

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Dec 21, 2023, 6:20:39 AM12/21/23

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On 12/21/2023 5:44 AM, Ion Saliu wrote:
>
> In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has argued FIFA and UEFA broke EU law by blocking the ‘European Super League’ (ESL) and abused their dominant position in the sport.

Surprising outcome.

> Betting business is “dead in the water” without upsets (“unpredictable” outcomes). Football (a.k.a. soccer) is “dead in the water” without betting.

Interesting take. What makes you think that the volume of betting is
higher on matches with a likely upset (Barca v Antwerp) than in ones
between two roughly evenly matched heavyweights (Barca v Man City)?

Ion Saliu

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Dec 21, 2023, 6:40:01 AM12/21/23

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Futitser:

Assiomatico, most bettors bet LARGER SUMS OF MONEY ON THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME. It makes sense. In the example I gave, most pundits bet on Barcelona, a prohibitive favorite. Since the “profit” was small, they BET BIG.

I can tell you from reliable sources, the bookies LOVE huge upsets. A large number of bettors LOSE huge amounts of money. Of course, there are a few punters who make a hefty profit. But the balance is hugely biased in favor of the betting parlors.

Ion “Axiomatic Parpaluck” Saliu
Founder of Betting Mathematics
• https://forums.saliu.com/software-1x2-football-soccer-pools.html

The Doctor

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Dec 21, 2023, 8:43:18 AM12/21/23

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In article <um1724$124ev$1...@dont-email.me>,

And the charges are ...
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Blueshirt

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Dec 21, 2023, 9:53:54 AM12/21/23

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Futbolmetrix wrote:

> On 12/21/2023 5:44 AM, Ion Saliu wrote:
> >
> > In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has
> > argued FIFA and UEFA broke EU law by blocking the ‘European Super
> > League’ (ESL) and abused their dominant position in the sport.
>
> Surprising outcome.

Legally, it's not a complete surprise. The EU is based on one single
market and free trade within it. Whilst the likes of FIFA/UEFA hold
dominant positions over football and are often anti-democratic at
times. Now, legally no football club has to stay aligned with either
of them and they can form their own "Super league" on their own
terms... if they choose to do so.

In practice though, what is going to change? As the likes of any
English clubs putting their head above the parapet now and breaking
away from UEFA is slim to none and what good is a "Super League"
without the big English clubs? In fact, I'd say within Europe - at
the moment - the English Premier League IS the Super League.

Mark

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Dec 21, 2023, 11:18:02 AM12/21/23

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On Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 2:53:54 PM UTC, Blueshirt wrote:
> Futbolmetrix wrote:
>
> > On 12/21/2023 5:44 AM, Ion Saliu wrote:
> > >
> > > In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has
> > > argued FIFA and UEFA broke EU law by blocking the ‘European Super
> > > League’ (ESL) and abused their dominant position in the sport.
> >
> > Surprising outcome.
> Legally, it's not a complete surprise. The EU is based on one single
> market and free trade within it.

Yes I'm not surprised, basically for this reason. The European Super League isn't anti-free market in any way.

Another thing I wonder about the legality of is FIFA objecting to a country's government 'interfering' with the way their FA runs football, and thinking that FIFA have got more right to a say in what goes on in football in a specific country than that country's government. Will that be the next legal challenge that UEFA or FIFA have to face?

Futbolmetrix

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Dec 21, 2023, 3:32:08 PM12/21/23

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Ion Saliu wrote:

> Axiomatics, Axiomatiques, Axiomatischen, Axiomáticos, Assiomatici, Axiomaticilor et al.:

> In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has argued FIFA and UEFA broke EU law by blocking the ‘European Super League’ (ESL) and abused their dominant position in the sport.

So far, it looks as if just Barca and Real Madrid are on board with the Superleague project. PSG, Bayern, Inter, Roma, Atleti and Sevilla have issued strong statements against it. I don't know how farsighted this is.

Blueshirt

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Dec 21, 2023, 3:46:27 PM12/21/23

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Futbolmetrix wrote:

> Ion Saliu wrote:
>
> > In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has
> > argued FIFA and UEFA broke EU law by blocking the ‘European Super
> > League’ (ESL) and abused their dominant position in the sport.
>
> So far, it looks as if just Barca and Real Madrid are on board with
> the Superleague project.

A two team "Super League"... Joan Laporta and Florentino Pérez will
be delighted... they can share all the money between themselves...
win/win.

;-)

MummyChunk

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Dec 21, 2023, 3:48:20 PM12/21/23

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> > On Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 1:20:39PM UTC+2, Futbolmetrix

wrote:
> > On 12/21/2023 5:44 AM, Ion Saliu wrote:
> >
> > In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has
argued FIFA and UEFA broke EU law by blocking the `European Super

LeagueŽ (ESL) and abused their dominant position in the sport.

> > Surprising outcome.
> > Betting business is "dead in the water" without upsets
("unpredictable" outcomes). Football (a.k.a. soccer) is
"dead in the water" without betting.
> > Interesting take. What makes you think that the volume of betting
is
> > higher on matches with a likely upset (Barca v Antwerp) than in
ones
> > between two roughly evenly matched heavyweights (Barca v Man
City)?
> >

> Ion Saliu wrote:
>
>
> Futitser:
>
> Assiomatico, most bettors bet LARGER SUMS OF MONEY ON THE MOST
LIKELY OUTCOME. It makes sense. In the example I gave, most pundits
bet on Barcelona, a prohibitive favorite. Since the "profit"
was small, they BET BIG.
>
> I can tell you from reliable sources, the bookies LOVE huge upsets.
A large number of bettors LOSE huge amounts of money. Of course, there
are a few punters who make a hefty profit. But the balance is hugely
biased in favor of the betting parlors.
>
>
> Ion "Axiomatic Parpaluck" Saliu
> Founder of Betting Mathematics

> o https://forums.saliu.com/software-1x2-football-soccer-pools.html

The house ultimately always wins. Gambling Rule #1

This is a response to the post seen at:
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=657644385#657644385

Blueshirt

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Dec 21, 2023, 5:36:02 PM12/21/23

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Mark wrote:
>
> Another thing I wonder about the legality of is FIFA objecting to a
> country's government 'interfering' with the way their FA runs
> football, and thinking that FIFA have got more right to a say in
> what goes on in football in a specific country than that country's
> government. Will that be the next legal challenge that UEFA or
> FIFA have to face?

I actually think that the biggest threat to UEFA (long term) will
actually come from FIFA... who see the riches European club football
generates and would love to get their hands on a bigger slice of it!

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup proposed for 2025 with 12 teams from
Europe is only the start of it.

Ion Saliu

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Dec 22, 2023, 6:23:27 AM12/22/23

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Axiomatics, Axiomatiques, Axiomatischen, Axiomáticos, Assiomatici, Axiomatici et al.:

We first discussed the ESL topic here when an announcement was made in 2021:
• https://groups.google.com/g/rec.sport.soccer/c/g58yOfbWyRs/m/kG-dwpjRAgAJ
• A Super League Actually Happening?

It is all about money, for all is business. Football/soccer is NO exception. Everybody wants a “Super League” IF it can generate a boatload of money.

UEFA created “Champions League” (among others). FIFA wants her own super League — Club World Cup. UEFA even changed the “Champions League” to resemble the European Super League. The English think of their Premier Leagues as of a “super league” (although only about six teams might meet the criteria).

First of all, everybody thinks of the TV money. That money, however, is LIMITED and FRAGMENTED. There are countries that broadcast football (soccer) matches from some three dozen leagues and competitions! TV money is badly piecemealed!

There are a few BILLIONAIRE football clubs that throw around loads of money, only to fall in deep holes of debt. They don’t think it is fair. They have better players and play far more attractive games. Yet, the TV money is spread around to all kinds of ugly, miserable games.

There is also the issue of SPONSORSHIP money. Again, it is badly dispersed.

Thirdly, there is the BOOKIE FACTOR. As I said earlier, the bookies might be the determining factor for ESL to come to fruition:
• https://groups.google.com/g/rec.sport.soccer/c/W4YAydutrKM/m/VKSOnNVFAQAJ

Currently, a competition like the Champions League encounters huge upsets now and then. The bookies LOVE huge upsets and they offer very attractive odds. A large number of bettors LOSE huge amounts of money, as they bet in droves on the favorite.

In a “Super League”, the teams are closely matched. The odds are close: 1, X, or 2. Betting on upsets will not be attractive. Most bettors will still bet on the favorite. But in an ESL, “Favorite” is a relative term.

However, the betting houses will benefit thanks to a much larger number of TV viewers. More viewers, more clients.

Betting on the “underdog” is a sure-fire winning strategy in a competition like the FIFA World Cup. I proved it beyond any doubt in the case of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The ‘Betting on the UNDERDOGS’ system applies to the group stages only.
• https://groups.google.com/g/rec.sport.soccer/c/f2B8MDSqA00/m/IxjLVfNMAQAJ
• The 2022 World Cup Best Team-Odds

Au contraire, the Champions League offers a very low percentage of upsets.

Methinks the European Super League is a foregone conclusion. Frau UEFA, albeit backed by Frau Fascist Liberalism EU, can’t stymie history for long… not even Baba Biden…

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2KRpRMSu4g
• “Baba O'Riley” – The Who

Ion “Axiomatic Parpaluck” Saliu
Founder of Football Betting Mathematics
• https://saliu.com/football.html