News
Judgment of the CJEU in the case of RFC Seraing v FIFA, UEFA and URBSFA (C-600/23):
the CJEU, sitting in Grand Chamber, ruled that the arbitral awards of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, since they result from compulsory arbitration imposed by the statutes of FIFA, UEFA and their members, have no res judicata effect within the European Union or even any probative force
The ECHR rules that the limited scope of review by the Swiss Federal Court of CAS awards violates article 6 of the Convention
No fair trial in CAS regarding forced arbitration!
Case RFC Seraing v. Fifa and Belgian FA: the CJEU judgement will be issued on 1 August, at 10 AM
Dupont-Hissel represents RFC Seraing.
European Super League: the Spanish competition authority opens an investigation against Uefa
For more information, see for instance
FIFPRO Europe informs players of their right to unilateral termination resulting from the Diarra judgment of the CJEU
We draw your best attention to the information note that Fifpro Europe has just published:
Fifpro Europe and European Leagues confirm their full commitment to foster the European Social Dialogue
In short, after the Diarra judgement, collective bargaining at EU level is now a "must".
Ticombo files antitrust complaint against IOC before the European Commission
TICOMBO FILES ANTITRUST COMPLAINT AGAINST THE IOC AND ITS ORGANISING
COMMITTEES BEFORE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE
TICKETS FOR CONSUMERS
COMMITTEES BEFORE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE
TICKETS FOR CONSUMERS
Professors Petros MAVROIDIS and Damien NEVEN have published a landmark article:
‘Should I stay or should I go? The FIFA Transfer System is No More’.
CJEU (Case RFC Seraing v FIFA and URBSFA, C-600/23): Advocate General CAPETA, in her opinion published this morning, considers that
the arbitration awards of the CAS (Switzerland), since they are the result of forced arbitration imposed by FIFA's statutes and since FIFA and its members have arrogated to themselves the power to self-enforce their disciplinary sanctions, do not have any res judicata effect within the EU.
Elena CONGOST, Paralympic marathon runner, and Mia CAROL BRUGUERA, her guide, take the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to court in Paris
Elena CONGOST, Paralympic marathon runner, and Mia CAROL BRUGUERA, her guide, take the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to court in Paris
News from the ESL project
As reported by the Guardian, "Real Madrid" evoke Titanic and Asterix in vow to keep pushing for Super League" (see attached document):
FIFA is beginning to take note of the obvious consequences of the Diarra ruling
On 25 November 2024, FIFA issued a decision of great symbolic significance, since - by this act - FIFA is (finally) ratifying publicly the effects of the ruling handed down on 4 October by the CJEU in the case of Lassana Diarra v. FIFA.
Fifpro Europe and its members, represented by "Dupont-Hissel", take legal action against FIFA
In these proceedings, which concern in particular the EU legality of FIFA's decisions creating the 2025 Club World Cup, the Tribunal de l'Entreprise in Brussels is being asked to refer questions to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling.
European Super League case:
the Madrid Commercial Court confirms that UEFA and FIFA have abused their dominant position.
Masterclass at the “Universidad Europea de Madrid” (“Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid”).
On 14 May 2024, Jean-Louis DUPONT and Martin HISSEL gave a Masterclass on ‘EU Law and Sport: when confrontation generates innovation’, as part of the Master in International Sports Law at the Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid.
CJUE: Opinion of First Advocate General SZPUNAR in the case of Lassana DIARRA/FIFPRO/UNFP v FIFA and URBSFA - Case C-650/22
The First Advocate General of the CJEU, Mr SZPUNAR, delivered his Opinion in this case on 30 April.
The CJEU has ended FIFA/UEFA's monopoly on transnational club football in the EU
Here is the press release from the CJEU, which is self-explanatory:
Football:
The CJEU rules that UEFA rules and similar rules of national federations imposing quotas of "home-grown players" may infringe the free movement of workers and free competition guaranteed by the TFEU
The CJEU will deliver its ESL, Refaelov - Antwerp and ISU judgments on 21 December.
The CJEU today confirmed that the first three "sport" judgments will be delivered on 21 December at 9.30am.
The Guardian publishes a remarkable article on the future of European football
"Breakaways or crossing borders: what is the future of European football?".
The Belgian Court of Cassation refers questions to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling on the CAS's legitimacy to rule on questions of EU law.
In this case, the Court of Cassation followed the position defended by our client, RFC Seraing.
The State of Football Governance - Advocate General Szpunar Paves the Way for a Critical Assessment of the Status Quo
By Robby Houben (University of Antwerp) & Siniša Petrović (University of Zagreb).
See, on "Asser International Sports Law Blog": https://www.asser.nl/sportslaw/blog
See, on "Asser International Sports Law Blog": https://www.asser.nl/sportslaw/blog
UEFA and Belgian Federation rules on "home-grown players" violate EU law according to the First Advocate General of the CJEU
In case C-680/21, in which "Dupont-Hissel" represents Lior Refaelov and Royal Antwerp FC, on 9 March 2023, Mr Szpunar, the First Advocate General of the CJEU, delivered his conclusions.
The High Commercial Court of Madrid reinstates the provisional measures for the benefit of the European Super League and against UEFA-FIFA
In its decision, the Madrid court stresses that the "values of sport" (which the international football federations claim to be guaranteed by Article 165 TFEU) are in no way such as to justify their absolute monopoly and that the pseudo-European model of sport is not a binding or uniform norm.
The future of sport Governance in Europe: seminar this 13 January in Brussels.
This 13 January in Brussels (or "on line"), "Concurrences" organises a seminar on "THE FUTURE OF SPORT GOVERNANCE IN EUROPE. THE TIMES: THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'".
Bernd REICHART, CEO of A22, in front of the Spanish press.
On Friday 2 December 2022, Bernd REICHART, CEO of A22, spoke to the Spanish media at a conference in Madrid.
Hearing before the Grand Chamber of the CJEU in the case "Royal Antwerp FC v UEFA and Belgian Football Federation"
Judges' questions focus on the discriminatory nature of the rules on "home-grown players" - First Advocate General to deliver his Opinion on 9 March 2023.
European Super League:A22 appoints new CEO to initiate open dialogue on the future of European club football
On 19 October 2022, A22 Sports Management, a co-claimant in the ongoing proceedings between the European Super League Company and UEFA, appointed Bernd Reichart as its Chief Executive Officer.
The FIFA transfer system again in front of the CJEU
On 20 September 2022, the Mons Court of Appeal referred a question to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling on the legality of FIFA's current transfer system with regard to the free movement of workers and free competition. The question referred for a preliminary ruling is worded as follows: "Are Art...
"Football-Legal" publishes two articles on the future of football governance in the EU.
The first article is authored by Professor Wathelet, ex Judge and ex first Advocate General at the CJEU. Professor Wathelet looks at the sports program that the CJEU has to face in the coming months. The second article is by Professor Robby Houben (University of Antwerp), who questions the future...
Case Swift Hespérange v UEFA and FLF
"Dupont-Hissel represents the claimants in the action launched on 21 July 2022 by Swift Hespérange, "Leopard" (sponsor) and a supporter against UEFA and the Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Football (FLF), challenging the EU legality of various rules of these two federations.
Hearing of the CJEU in the Super League case.
On July 11 and 12, the Grand Chamber (15 judges) of the CJEU held the hearing in the Super League v. UEFA and FIFA case.
"European Super League" hearing in the CJEU scheduled on 11 and 12 July
See: https://www.politico.eu/article/hold-football-super-league-court-hearing-set-for-july/
European Super League: Ceferin's threats of boycott
UEFA president threatens a US match organiser because simply because he works for Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus ...
Sisters are doin' it for themselves
Some news transcends law and economics: it is sociological in nature. Such is the case of the latest women's Clasico, which broke the attendance record for a women's match.
EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE: JUVENTUS PRESIDENT REAFFIRMS CONFIDENCE IN CJEU
Andrea AGNELLI spoke about the continuation of the ESL project at the "FT Business of Football" summit in London, on 3 March 2022.
Filing of a criminal complaint concerning the rigging of the 2013-2014 Belgian championship
"Dupont-Hissel represents the plaintiffs
FIFA president in favour of EURO every two years
A World Cup every 2 years. Why not the same regarding EURO ... ?
Top lawyers reveal why they expect to defeat UEFA in European Super League battle
Lawyers for ESL promoter company A22 say Madrid judge was “alarmed by threats of Ceferin” and “thinks the merits of the case are good”.
The FIFA World Cup every two years: a perfect example of conflict of interest.
FIFA's plan to hold its flagship tournament every two years is causing a stir.
The purchase of Newcastle by a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund or the problem of "state clubs".
After PSG, it's Newcastle's turn to be owned, in short, by a state.
"DUPONT-HISSEL" defends Antwerp in the case of the rules on "Home-Grown Players”
The Court of First Instance in Brussels has just referred questions to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling.