UPDATE - Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla reject proposed new European 'super league'

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By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp, Emre Asikci

ANKARA (AA) – Following a top court ruling giving the legal green light to a new league, several top football clubs from Germany, England, and Spain on Thursday and Friday turned down the idea of joining a possible European Super League.

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) on Thursday ruled 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, violate EU law. The decision has allowed further competitions between different leagues.

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

Jan-Christian Dreesen, the CEO of German Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich, said there is no change in the team'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 Borussia Dortmund, another Bundesliga side, 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 said on Instagram, "Earn it on the pitch!" implying their refusal to join the Super League.

Another La Liga club, Atletico Madrid, also ruled out 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 turned down the idea. "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," said a statement.

Liverpool, another Premier League team, also rejected the new league initiative, saying: "We will continue to work with fellow clubs through the ECA and participate in UEFA competitions."

Arsenal also declined to join the Super League with a statement saying: "We will continue to play in UEFA competitions and continue to work with fellow European clubs and the European Club Association (ECA)."

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.