European Super League to rise again as Celtic and Rangers on alert amid court ruling UEFA acted 'illegally'

The door has reopened for an elite breakaway competition after the EU’s top court ruled football chiefs broke the law in blocking plans for a European Super League.

In what is a landmark decision, the Court of Justice delivered its verdict when asked to rule on points of EU law by a Madrid tribunal. Plans for a new league were stopped in its tracks at its launch in April 2021. Fury erupted around the Continent when rebel clubs from the English Premier League and behemoths such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus attempted to form their own tournament to replace the Champions League.

The move prompted UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to brand club leaders "snakes" and "liars" and he also threatened to ban players from Super League clubs. But now Ceferin’s organisation and FIFA have been accused of abusing its market dominance of competitions. The EU Court have branded their actions "unlawful" and may yet see Madrid, Barca and Juve reprise their plans again.

If, as expected, the trio of super clubs relaunch their bid for a new league, the likes of Celtic and Rangers could be invited, seeing UEFA’s reworking of the Champions League in 2024-2025 potentially biting the dust. The court said: "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."

Twelve clubs – including the Premier League's 'Big Six' – announced the formation of the original European Super League two years ago but the plan quickly collapsed amid fan protests, pressure