Spain’s antitrust body opens probe into UEFA over Super League

Spain’s competition watchdog CNMC said Friday it has launched an investigation into UEFA for allegedly restricting competition in European football by opposing the Super League project.

The body said it opened the probe into possible anti-competitive behaviour by UEFA in organising European football competitions, following a complaint filed by A22 Sports Management, the promoter behind the Super League.

“After a preliminary review, we have found signs of possible infringements regarding UEFA’s conduct,”  it said in a statement.

“The opening of this case does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation. A maximum period of 24 months is now open for its resolution.”

The probe focuses on an agreement UEFA reportedly made with nine European clubs aimed at preventing them from organising or participating in rival competitions. 

UEFA also allegedly implemented measures to enforce this ban, including threatening to exclude clubs from its tournaments if they participated in alternative leagues.

Announced in 2021 by 12 clubs, the first Super League project collapsed after outrage from fans of the English clubs involved and threats from governing bodies UEFA and FIFA.

Within 48 hours of that announcement nine of the 12 rebel clubs — including six from the Premier League — backed down.

The project was given a new lease of life in December 2024 when the European Court of Justice found that UEFA, European football’s governing body, as well as world body FIFA had been “abusing a dominant position” by submitting any new competitions to their prior approval.

In the wake of the ruling, A22 announced plans for a new project with 64 teams from across Europe split into three divisions with promotion and relegation within their system.