Who is 'saving' football? case european super league v UEFA and FIFA in the context of article 101 TFEU

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Tko "spašava" nogomet? Predmet Europska Superliga protiv UEFA-e i FIFE-e u kontekstu članka 101. UFEU-a
• Author: Filip Bjelinski
• Mentor: Melita Carević (mentor)
• Committee member: Melita Carević (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Snježana Vasiljević (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Davor Petrić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Law; (European Public Law); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2022-11-02, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Law

Abstract

Spor između klubova Superlige i UEFA-e započeo je u siječnju 2021. kad su klubovi Superlige obavijestili UEFU o svojoj namjeri osnivanja Superlige. Neposredno nakon obavijesti o osnivanju Superlige, FIFA-a i UEFE-a zaprijetili su sankcijama klubovima i igračima. Odgovor FIFA-e i UEFA-e također je stvorio raskol u nogometnom svijetu između navijača “elitnih klubova” i navijača koji se zalažu za sustav takozvane “nogometne piramide” gdje se napredovanje i ispadanje temelji na zaslugama.
Ovaj rad nastao je u trenutku iščekivanja odluke Suda EU u sporu između klubova Superlige i UEFA-e. Cilj ovog rada je analizirati praksu Suda EU i moguću argumentaciju stranaka u sporu između Superlige i UEFA-e. Rad je strukturiran tako da će se prvo ukratko predstaviti slučaj pred Sudom EU. Nakon toga će se analizirati elementi članka 101 UFEU-a. Zatim će se ispitati postoji li mogućnost primjene “Wouters iznimke” ili članka 101(3) UFEU-a.
Autor smatra da su odredbe statuta FIFA-e i UEFA-e u suprotnosti s člankom 101 UFEU-a te da su omogućile FIFA-i i UEFA-i da zatvore pristup tržištu organizacije nogometnih natjecanja i komercijalnog iskorištavanja prava.

Abstract (english)

The dispute between the Super League clubs and UEFA began when the Super League clubs notified UEFA about their intention to launch the Super League in January 2021. This was followed by the response from FIFA and UEFA, in which they threatened to impose sanctions both on football clubs and players. FIFA’s and UEFA’s response also created rift in football world between supporters of “elite clubs” and supporters of the football pyramid where promotion and relegation are based on merit.
This master thesis has been written while the dispute between the Super League clubs and FIFA and UEFA was pending before the CJEU. The aim of this master thesis is to analyse the CJEU cases and possible arguments of both parties of the dispute. First, the case will be shortly introduced. After that, elements of Article 101 TFEU will be discussed. Lastly, it will be examined whether it is possible to apply the so-called “Wouters exception” or Article 101(3) TFEU. The Author considers that provisions of FIFA and UEFA Statutes are in breach of Article 101 TFEU and, as such, that they made it possible for FIFA and UEFA to foreclose the market of organisation and commercial exploitation of rights emanating from football competitions.

• Keywords: Pravo tržišnog natjecanja; Članak 101 UFEU-a; Superliga; FIFA; UEF
• Keywords (english): competition law; Article 101 TFEU; Super League; FIFA; UEFA
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:199:488622
• Study programme: Title: Law; Study programme type: university; Study level: integrated undergraduate and graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra prava (magistar/magistra prava)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2022-11-03 09:23:22