The National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has opened an investigation into UEFA over potential violations of both Spanish and European competition laws. According to the official announcement, UEFA is suspected of engaging in practices that may have limited competition in the organization of European football tournaments.

The investigation centers on an agreement allegedly established between UEFA and nine football clubs, with the intention of preventing them from creating or participating in any European competitions outside UEFA’s structure. The CNMC notes that UEFA also implemented measures to ensure these clubs adhered to those restrictions.

This inquiry follows a formal complaint by A22 Sports Management, the company promoting the European Super League. After an initial confidential phase, the CNMC believes there is credible evidence of possible infringements of Articles 1 and 2 of Spain’s Competition Act (LDC), as well as Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The commission stressed that launching this investigation does not imply any judgment on the final outcome. It now has up to 24 months to complete its review.

A22 welcomed the CNMC’s move, stating: “We acknowledge the CNMC’s decision to investigate UEFA’s conduct, which harmed the 2021 Super League project by restricting fair competition. This is a relevant and timely development, fully aligned with the European Court of Justice ruling in December 2023, which concluded that UEFA and FIFA had breached EU competition laws. That judgment confirmed the right of independent promoters like A22 to launch and manage pan-European club competitions.”

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