Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla reject European Super League

​​​​​​​By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp and Emre Asikci

Several top football clubs from Germany, England and Spain on Thursday rejected the idea of joining a possible European Super League.

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) decided that the International Association of Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) rules on prior approval of interclub football competitions, such as the Super League, are contrary to EU law. The decision has allowed further competitions between different leagues.

Major clubs, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla declined to join the competition. Other clubs like Real Madrid, one of the founders, and Barcelona, favor the league.

German Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich's CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said there is no change in Bayern Munich's position and added: "Such a competition would be an attack on the importance of the national leagues and the structure of European football."

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the chairman of another Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund, said, "For Borussia Dortmund, regardless of the discussions surrounding the verdict, the following applies: we are not available for a Super League."

Spanish La Liga side Sevilla published a post on Instagram that said: "Earn it on the pitch!" implying their refusal to join the Super League.

Another La Liga club, Atletico Madrid, also rejected the possibility.

"We are in favor of protecting the great family of European football, of protecting the domestic leagues and through them achieving qualification for European competitions on the field of play each season," they said.

English Premier League football club Manchester United also refused to join the competition. "Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions and positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game," read a statement.

The European Super League was proposed in 2021 as a competition project to be held between 12 clubs --Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Juventus, Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

FIFA and UEFA objected to the project, threatening to impose sanctions on clubs and players who might decide to participate.